GOOGLE AND BHARTI Airtel have recently entered into a strategic alliance for providing web-based services to the broadband users of Airtel. As per this alliance, Airtel will offer its broadband customers a world-class portal, which will include Google Gmail with 2GB storage, Google Talk instant messaging/ chatting service, Google Docs and Spreadsheets. So, now users can share and collaborate in real-time. They can also enjoy the other services like Desktop & Internet Security Services (consisting of Anti-virus, Anti-spyware, Firewall & Parental Control); Web SMS, On-demand gaming service and music download etc.

According to Jai Menon, Director, IT and Innovation Bharti Airtel Limited, three sets of services will be made available to the customers of Airtel Broadband with a single sign-on completely free of cost. "We will allow three sets of services. One there will be Airtel set of services—music, gaming and video messaging. Second is completely Google set of services and third is a local content developers’ gadget," said Menon.

While expressing his opinion Shailesh Rao, Managing Director, Google India said, "Google is committed to enriching the online experience of users in India. The alliance will provide an ideal platform for Airtel users to enjoy the best possible online experience with customized access to Google’s evolving suite of innovative products."

Strategically this move gives a lot of push to the rumors of the Google Phone. This is even more consolidated by Business Standards reporting. “The Airtel and Google alliance also plans to extend its services and suites to . . . mobile phones in times to come,” writes the magazine. It has been noticed in recent times that Google is taking a lot of interest in the mobile market. The Airtel deal is not the only one move in the telecom sector but Google had also signed up a Wi-Max agreement with Sprint lately.

What would be the future of this high-profile tie-up and how beneficial will it prove, thousands of experts are keeping a tab on that.