MUMBAI: Mobile consumption is steadily growing in the country, and Nokia India has partnered with Bharti Airtel to launch a customized version of the Nokia Xpress browser for its consumers on compatible Nokia handsets. The announcement is a major step in Nokia and Airtel’s joint initiatives to increase the uptake of mobile internet services amongst consumers by providing them access to faster, easier and more cost effective data solutions.
Nokia India director – marketing Viral Oza said, “More people are experiencing the internet for the first time and we believe this initiative will further accelerate that. This is a first of its kind partnership for Nokia in India and we are sure that the customized Nokia Xpress browser for Airtel consumers will provide them with a richer and more immersive mobile browsing experience.”
The browser will offer Airtel customers a cost effective mobile internet experience with a one-click access to popular content including the telco’s premium mobile internet services. With its improvised technology, it enables up to 85 per cent more efficient browsing by optimizing websites for Nokia Series 40 devices, including its Asha range of smartphones.
As per the release, in 2012 the number of Nokia Xpress browser users on Airtel’s network quadrupled and average data consumption per user tripled during the same period.
Bharti Airtel chief marketing officer N Rajaram said, “We are witnessing tremendous growth in mobile internet usage in India and are glad to be partnering with Nokia to offer our users a customized and enhanced browsing experience including one-click access to our premium content and services. We believe the superior browsing experience offered by Nokia Xpress browser will accelerate mobile internet adoption and engagement.”
It is expected to be rolled out within the next week, and Nokia-Airtel consumers will be automatically upgraded to the new version.