In a strategic move aimed at enhancing digital storage solutions for Indian consumers, Bharti Airtel has joined hands with tech giant Google to introduce a cloud storage subscription service for its postpaid mobile and Airtel Xstream Fiber broadband users. The collaboration signifies a deepening of the partnership between the telecom major and Google, aligning with their shared vision of driving digital inclusion and simplifying data management for users across the country.
What’s on Offer?
The service, branded under “Airtel Cloud Storage powered by Google One,” offers Airtel customers access to Google's cloud ecosystem through affordable bundled plans. Users can subscribe directly via the Airtel Thanks app and avail themselves of various Google One plans, which include storage capacities ranging from 100GB to 2TB. The offering not only allows for seamless backup of photos, videos, documents, and other data, but also provides access to premium features like Google Photos editing tools and priority customer support from Google.
For Airtel postpaid and fiber customers, these plans will be integrated into their monthly billing cycle, allowing for a single consolidated payment without the hassle of managing separate subscriptions. Additionally, users can share their storage with up to five family members — a particularly useful feature for households with multiple devices and users.
Focus on Digital Lifestyles
This initiative comes at a time when the demand for cloud storage is surging, driven by the proliferation of smartphones, high-resolution content, and hybrid work models. The collaboration is expected to cater to a broad demographic, including students, professionals, and families, who increasingly rely on cloud-based solutions to store and manage their digital assets.
Airtel’s Chief Marketing Officer, Shashwat Sharma, stated, “As digital lifestyles continue to evolve, reliable and secure storage has become essential. Through this partnership with Google, we are excited to provide our customers with best-in-class cloud services backed by Airtel’s strong connectivity and service network.”
Google’s Growing Footprint in India
This partnership marks another significant step for Google as it deepens its presence in India’s booming digital economy. Since its $1 billion investment commitment in Airtel’s parent company Bharti Enterprises in 2022, Google has worked closely with Airtel to expand digital access through initiatives like affordable smartphones and cloud-based business solutions.
The inclusion of Google One services into Airtel's consumer ecosystem is expected to boost both companies’ reach, with Airtel leveraging its massive user base of over 500 million customers and Google reinforcing its role as a digital enabler in emerging markets.
Getting Started
Interested users can access the new service by logging into the Airtel Thanks app, navigating to the “Digital Services” section, and choosing a Google One subscription plan. Airtel is currently offering introductory discounts for the first three months, encouraging users to explore the benefits of cloud storage without immediate cost barriers.