Airtel launches poll update service

Airtel has launched a service which will provide information on election updates and analysis on poll results.

The service was launched in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Customers using Airtel's 646 service will be able to access voice updates of election news bulletins every 20 minutes. Airtel customers would also have access to the daily news analysis by prominent opinion makers.

Airtel has also launched a subscription-based short messaging services (SMS) with a subscription of Rs 30 per month. To avail of the service, Airtel customers would need to type the key word 'subnews' and send it to the number '3333'.

Customers would also be able to receive election alerts through SMS. The SMS-based service would provide a detailed insight into the election results and updates from various locations across the country.

Airtel has also launched an election ticker, which the customers can download from the Airtel Masala portal "" www.airtelworld.com "" using their GRPS phones.

Masala registration is free for all Airtel customers. The customers can also call Airtel's 121 customer service for a free Masala registration.

Announcing the launch of this service, Atul Joshi, chief operating officer, Bharati Cellular Ltd, Gujarat circle, said, "It has been Airtel's endeavor to provide an unmatched mobile experience to all its customers. The launch of the election news update service represents yet another reaffirmation of this commitment."

The availability of the election updates on mobile phones adds to a comprehensive list of customised value-added services being offered by Airtel to its customers.

Stock prices, news, railway information, flight schedules, jobs, around me service and live cricket scroll and updates are some of the other value-added services provided by Airtel to its customers.

Bharati Cellular has doubled its subscriber base in Gujarat over the past six months till December last year and will achieve 100 per cent coverage in the state shortly.

Having a customer base of about 74,000 in June this year, the number of Airtel customers has crossed the 1.40 lakh mark. Joshi, chief operating officer of Airtel, Gujarat, said: "We have already installed 450 cell sites in Gujarat, covering 91 per cent of the area."