Telecom Lead Asia: Reliance Communication and Google have entered
into a two-year agreement to bundle 3G mobile connection with Android
smartphones.
Under the agreement, all Google-endorsed android mobile
devices will come with the telco’s 3G mobile connection with 1 GB of free
downloads for the first six months.
However, these devices will work on networks of all other
mobile operators and consumers will have the option to switch to other
operators.
As part of the agreement, RCOM, the country’s
second-largest telco by subscribers, will launch a 30-crore campaign for Google
Android products starting Saturday.
According to a media report, Google has also committed to
an equivalently valued campaign on its online platforms. The advertisement,
which depicts the android logo Green Bot going blue, will include platforms
like augmented reality and will continue till the T20 World Cup.
The number of subscribers that the company will add
because of the tie-up will not make a substantial difference to its overall
user base or to its revenues. But it will help RCOM in positioning itself as a
network for premium users, enhancing its current image.
Industry experts estimate that more than 200,000 such
phones will be sold in India over the next two years and that RCOM will be able
to retain two-thirds of these customers on a long-term basis.
RCOM would be able to retain more than a fair share of
these customers on its network. The intangible brand benefits from such an
exclusive tie-up will exceed the monetary benefits in the two years,” said
Prashant Singhal, Partner at Ernst & Young Global’s Indian affiliate.
Recently, Reliance Communications launched a new bundle offer on its 3G Tab, including free data
usage and international calls, to improve value and user experience for its
customers.
editor@telecomlead.com
