Bharti Airtel shares surged to a 52-week high of ₹1,816.80 following the announcement of a groundbreaking partnership with Blinkit, enabling 10-minute SIM card delivery in select cities across India. This move marks a significant leap for Airtel in enhancing customer acquisition through the growing trend of quick commerce in India.
Key Details of the Partnership
- Service Coverage: The 10-minute SIM delivery service will initially be available in 16 cities, including major urban centers like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
- Offering: Customers can now order both prepaid and postpaid SIM cards with the added benefit of number portability options for existing users.
- Process: The service will leverage Aadhaar-based KYC for identity verification, ensuring a smooth and secure transaction. Customers must activate the SIM card within 15 days of receiving it.
- Convenience Fee: A ₹49 convenience fee will be charged for doorstep delivery, adding to the convenience of this express service.
Airtel’s new offering is designed to enhance customer experience by simplifying the process of acquiring new SIM cards and expanding its subscriber base, especially in metropolitan areas. The move also aligns with the quick commerce trend gaining momentum in India, as consumers seek faster, more convenient solutions for everyday services.
Future Expansion Plans
Airtel has stated plans to expand the 10-minute SIM delivery service to additional cities in the near future, further reinforcing its position as a customer-centric telecom provider. The service aims to capture the attention of tech-savvy consumers looking for on-demand, speedy services.
Broadband Growth Strategy
In addition to its innovative SIM delivery service, Airtel has also unveiled its broader broadband growth strategy, focusing on three key pillars:
- Expanding Reach: Airtel plans to expand its fiber network, aiming for 35 million fiber home passes and extending Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) to over 2,000 cities. This move will ensure better connectivity and internet access for a larger number of customers.
- Improving Value: Airtel is strengthening its content offerings by partnering with platforms like ZEE5 and Glance, and its Xstream platform now hosts over 22 OTT apps, providing a variety of entertainment options for customers.
- Boosting Distribution: Airtel plans to activate 100,000 retail points and deploy 30,000 home delivery engineers to reach customers more efficiently and provide better service.
Conclusion
With this strategic partnership with Blinkit, Bharti Airtel is not only boosting its stock performance but also reinforcing its commitment to providing innovative, customer-first solutions. As the company continues to grow its telecom services and broadband offerings, Airtel is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in India’s highly competitive telecommunications market.