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Google and Airtel to provide a "free" zone for mobile users

Submitted by Karthik on 27 June, 2013 - 09:09

Google+, Gmail, and Google Search can all now be accessed for "free" from an Airtel mobile phone. The aim of this project is "to put the web in the hands of more people and empower first time Internet users with several useful services of the Internet". Besides the Google services themselves, the first page of any external site accessed as a result of a Google Search will also not be metered.

While by "free", Airtel means that you will not be charged for data, the fine print notes that there's a 1GB fair-usage-policy limit on this largesse after which the user will be prompted to sign up to a data plan. Another caveat around downloading attachments (not free) is also a bit of a dampener. Furthermore, the free zone service doesn't apply to tablets, laptops, and desktops and will also not work on Blackberries.

Also in today's news, India is apparently interested in Google's Project Loon. +1s all 'round.