Airtel launches 4G in Sri Lanka; liberates customers from ‘reload trap’

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam
Airtel Sri Lanka, a subsidiary of Indian multinational telecommunications company Bharti Airtel, has stepped up efforts to narrow the gap between the prepaid and postpaid packages in the country by launching ‘Freedom Packs’ along with the launch of its 4G services. 

In an effort to allow its customers to gain the maximum benefit for their purchases, the new package by Airtel offers improved data and voice benefits for an entire month with a single reload.

According to the telco giant, the new package comes with a “superior experience on Airtel’s world-class, buffer-free 4G network”.

“With this pioneering launch, Airtel brings the much-needed simplicity and the best value for Sri Lankan telecom customers. Users can now do more on a world-class 4G network, using our ‘Freedom Packs’ without ever having to worry about the restrictions of any kind,” said Airtel Sri Lanka MD and CEO Ashish Chandra to local media via a virtual press briefing yesterday.

Subtly hinting on the number portability feature that will be made available in the country within this year, Chandra called on Sri Lankan mobile phone users to switch to Airtel, stressing “now is the time”. He added that the ‘Freedom Packs’ is backed by Airtel’s single largest investment in Sri Lanka since its entry into the island in 2011.  A research carried out by Airtel revealed that Sri Lanka collectively uses approximately three million recharges in a day. 

It observed that the trend has intensified by the proliferation of cards in the market, leading to a reload trap as customers tend to lose track of the packages and features they send on.

With the Freedom Packs, Airtel has eliminated the need for multiple reloads, providing a more transparent, condition-less data and voice benefits. 

Chandra pointed out that the innovative product is based on customer insights and underscores Airtel’s philosophy of innovating to simplify customer experiences.

The Freedom Pack comes in four different bouquets to suit different usage needs.  Each of these packs includes high-speed daily data that can be used for any Internet requirement including social media, WFH and SFH among others. 

For voice usage, all packs offer unlimited Airtel calling and ample minutes and SMS for any network calling. Furthermore, for the light to medium users, Airtel has made available the ‘Freedom Lite’ under which two tailor-made packs are offered.  The telco has also taken steps to reduce other network call tariff by 66 percent for any usage beyond the built minutes.