Airtel Launches 'One Touch Internet' Portal for First-Time Internet Users

Bharti Airtel, the country's biggest telecom operator, on Thursday launched the 'One Touch Internet' WAP portal for prepaid customers who are first-time Internet services users.

The company believes that the "One Touch Internet is a first of its kind initiative aimed at simplifying Internet services for millions of first-time users in India."

Airtel hopes the WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) portal will offer prepaid customers across the country a "simple, secure and intuitive interface" to discover the Internet services, and overcome inhibitions about using mobile data.

The firm says the One Touch Internet WAP portal will act as a single destination for users to 'see-try-buy' popular Internet services including social networking, videos, online shopping and travel bookings, with free tutorial videos and trial packs to guide them through the process.

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Commenting on the announcement, Srinivasan Gopalan, Director, Consumer Business, Bharti Airtel said, "The Indian telecom market has entered a phase of data led growth. As data networks expand and Internet-enabled devices become affordable - more and more Indians are getting online on their mobile devices. However, our market research has shown that there are millions of customers across the country who own an internet-ready mobile device and are keen on getting online, but are apprehensive due to reasons like lack of know-how and fear of incurring heavy data charges. Airtel's 'One Touch Internet' will address these very customer challenges and play the crucial role of hand-holding first-time mobile users as they discover the Internet."

Airtel prepaid customers can try the new 'One Touch Internet' WAP portal via mobile by either calling 111 or visiting Airtel's One Touch Internet site via their phone's browser. The WAP portal is currently available in English and Hindi languages. The company promises that it will soon be available in 8 Indian vernacular languages in the coming weeks.

"We believe that this initiative can play a transformational role in breaking perception barriers among customers and demystifying the Internet not only for the young and urban, but for people from across generations and social strata - thus giving the Indian masses an opportunity to enjoy their first ever Internet experience," added Gopalan.