Vodafone India has partnered with Micromax to launch a new affordable 4G-enabled smartphone known as Bharat 2 Ultra. The smartphone with Vodafone SuperNet 4G connection will be available at an effective price of Rs 999.
Under this partnership, all existing and new Vodafone customers will have to buy Micromax Bharat 2 Ultra for Rs 2899 and one has to do a minimum recharge of Rs 150 per month for 36 months. At the end of 18 months, users will get a cash back of Rs 900 and after another 18 months, users will get a cash back of Rs 1000. This brings the down the cost of the device to Rs 999. Further, the cash back amount will be credited to Vodafone M-Pesa wallets.
The move is meant is meant to counter Reliance JioPhone and other operators’ offerings. The Reliance JioPhone is effectively free, but users need to pay Rs 1500 as a security deposit. Further, if users plan to return the devices before completion of three years, they will be penalized.
Bharti Airtel recently partnered with Karbonn to launch an affordable 4G-enabled smartphone, the A40 Indian. Customer needs to make a down payment of Rs 2899 for and he/she has to make 36 continuous monthly recharges of Rs 169. The customer will get a cash refund of Rs 500 after 18 months and another Rs 1000 after 36 months, taking the total cash benefit to Rs 1500. The cashback will be credited to the subscriber’s Airtel Payment Bank account.
BSNL also joined this bandwagon and announced Bharat 1 4G-enabled feature phone in partnership with Micromax. The feature phone comes with a price tag of Rs 2,200 and BSNL has also announced a new plan along with the 4G-enabled feature phone. The pack comes with a price tag of Rs 97 and it will offer unlimited internet, unlimited calling, and messages every month.
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