Airtel offers mobile charging, talk time loan service in Phailin-hit areas

Telecom major Airtel Thursday said it has started mobile charging service across 22 towns in Odisha impacted by cyclone Phailin and offering talk time on loan to people having less than Rs. 5 in their account.

The company in a statement said that it has "deployed over thousands of mobile charging points in Airtel BTS (mobile towers) locations across 22 towns in the affected districts of Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, Angul and Jagatsinghpur."

It added that its mobile towers in these locations are running on alternative energy source and individuals would be able to charge their mobile phones from these locations till restoration of electricity in these impacted areas.

"A Talktime on loan service is also available for Airtel mobile prepaid customers particularly in the cyclone affected areas, who are unable to avail any recharge option," it said.

Airtel's customers having mobile balance of below Rs. 5 can dial *141*10# or call 52141 to receive an additional talktime loan worth Rs. 10, which is recoverable from the main account when the number is suitably recharged, the statement said.