Airtel Teams with Nivio & Microsoft for Windows-Based Online Desktop
IT News Online Staff
2009-02-17
Bharti Airtel Ltd., in partnership with Nivio and Microsoft, has launched a Windows-based Online Desktop, giving access to a personal virtual desktop from any computer connected to the Internet for Airtel broadband customers.
The company said the initiative will pave the way for easy and affordable access to computing and broadband in India. This service will be available to all Airtel broadband customers across 95 cities in the country.
Atul Bindal, President, Telemedia Services, Bharti Airtel, said, "With this initiative, Airtel hopes to increase computer and broadband penetration by making it easy, affordable and with low access barriers. Our Online Desktop platform, powered by Microsoft and Nivio, will be useful in making computing more accessible to SMBs, SMEs and SOHOs as well as individual home customers of Airtel broadband. This is part of our larger commitment to offer an enhanced broadband experience to our customers and to drive the adoption of broadband by innovating and collaborating."
Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Microsoft India, said, "Microsoft is committed to deliver solutions that help make it easier and more accessible for customers. This partnership with Bharti Airtel and Nivio brings us closer to this vision. We believe that Bharti Airtel's strong reach will be able to deliver the power of computing to users in far flung areas. For the small office segment and home professionals, this is a timely offer that will help them control costs and also increase productivity, so important in the prevailing environment."
The Online Desktop offers Airtel broadband users:
- 5 GB space to store documents, photos, music, presentations, software at a central place
- The freedom of accessing data anywhere, anytime
- Free anti-virus protection which makes stored data safe and secure
- Original and latest software on a rental basis - pay as you go
- Reduced IT infrastructure cost with no cost of CPU
- Unified billing with service usage included in monthly Airtel broadband bill
Online Desktop, which is accessible through any computer with Internet access, allows users to rent software per month:
- For Rs. 99 per month, customers get 5 GB of online storage space.
- For Rs. 199 per month, customers get 5 GB of online storage space, free anti-virus protection, Windows-based operating system, automatic backup
- Specially-tailored packs for SMBs, SMEs and SOHOs at Rs. 399 and Rs. 699 per month, respectively, provide a Windows-based operating system and Microsoft Office
The Online Desktop service is powered by Microsoft and Nivio and backed by 24x7 customer care from Airtel.
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