Airtel to offer real-time data charges

Signed a deal with Swedish company Ericsson to offer mobile broadband charging solution

Bharti Airtel is all set to let their customers see the charges of their data consumption real-time. The largest telecom operator of the country today signed a deal with Swedish company Ericsson to offer a mobile broadband charging (MBC) solution.

Using the solution, pre-paid customers can choose between various data offerings from 2G, 3G, 4G-LTE and even wi-fi. It will also offer flexible multi service charging in geographical redundant mode to the world’s largest prepaid base, the company claims.

This will also help customers who demand a more transparent billing, with regards to data usage. “Prepaid customers demand flexibility in service packages. Ericsson’s MBC suite has the capability to control complex tariff plans and service bundles. The wide array of prepaid services, personalised data plans and real time charging experience will allow prepaid customers to control their mobile usage,” said Jagbir Singh, CTO & Director – Network Services Group- Bharti Airtel.

Ericsson says that its recent consumer lab study on India’s generation Z indicated transparent billing and charging as a key requirements from their service providers. “Data consumption is far more complex than voice and this solution will help Bharti offer enhanced data services to increase flexibility, control and enrich their customer experience,” said Fredrik Jejdling, Region Head of Ericsson India.

In yet another announcement made at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Airtel also launched 'Opera Web Pass' using Opera Software. This will help Airtel's first time mobile internet users who will be able use affordable data packages which last one hour or just weekends etc.

“A subscriber just needs to start Opera Mini on his mobile phone, click Opera Web Pass in the speed dial start page and choose from a list of web pass subscriptions, allowing Airtel mobile customers to purchase from a range of user-centric packages to suit their internet access needs,” the companies said in a press release.