Airtel Launches First Ever Virtual Online Desktop

Bharti Airtel in a joint venture with Microsoft and Nivio has launched the first ever virtual online desktop. This will give access to a personal virtual desktop from any computer connected to the internet for Airtel Broadband customers.

The Virtual Online Desktop service has been launched in 95 cities across the country.

The Virtual Online Desktop is essentially Windows over broadband. You pay a monthly sum, and the amount gets added to your monthly broadband bill. Once you sign up, you get access to the features of a personal computer running Windows. Pricing is quite affordable considering the price of a legitimate copy of Windows in India, even though you would probably pay much more in the long run.

The Rs 199 retail pack would give you 5 GB online storage (not much, that) and Windows plus free virus protection. Not much is known at this time about the kind of software that would come with the Online Virtual Desktop. Microsoft Office is available with the Business Pack (Rs 699) and Professional Pack (Rs 399) per month.

On the occasion, Mr. Atul Bindal, President, Telemedia Services, Bharti Airtel said, “With this initiative, Airtel hopes to increase computer and broadband penetration by making it easy, affordable and with low access barriers.”

“Our Online Desktop platform – powered by Microsoft and Nivio – will be useful in making computing more accessible to SMBs, SMEs and SOHOs as well as individual home customers of Airtel broadband. This is part of our larger commitment to offer an enhanced broadband experience to our customers and to drive the adoption of broadband by innovating and collaborating” he added.

Microsoft is committed to deliver solutions that help make it easier and more accessible for customers. This partnership with Bharti Airtel and Nivio brings us closer to this vision said Mr. Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Microsoft India.

“We believe that Bharti Airtel’s strong reach will be able to deliver the power of computing to users in far flung areas. For the small office segment and home professionals – this is a timely offer that will help them control costs and also increase productivity – so important in the prevailing environment.” He concluded.

The Online Desktop from Airtel brings many firsts for broadband users in India:

· 5 GB space to store documents, photos, music, presentations, software at a central place

· The freedom of accessing your data anywhere, anytime

· Free Anti-Virus protection which makes stored data safe and secure

· Original and latest software on a rental basis – pay as you go

· Reduced IT infrastructure cost with no cost of CPU

· Unified billing with service usage included in monthly Airtel broadband bill

The Online Desktop service is powered by Microsoft and Nivio and supported by 24×7 customer care from Airtel.