Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP) 

Bengaluru, Aug 23: Even as Reliance Jio is planning a big splash in the sector of wired broadband, Airtel is bracing up to compete with it by offering digital entertainment and increased speed broadband coupled with a set top box that is smart and small like the Jio. 

Airtel is likely to offer Android-based set top box in September. This set top box will allow people to access streaming applications and HD television channels among others. Virtual reality applications and interactive gaming services will also be on offer, it is said. 

It is gathered that Airtel may consider plans to offer a HD LED television set for top end tariff customers. This is being devised as a way to combat Jio's welcome offer of set top box costing Rs 4,000, a HD LED TV or personal computer for free to home-based broadband users opting for annual plans. 

Airtel plans to target mid-to-top end postpaid mobile users, home and DTH TV broadband consumers. The customers using all the services will be treated under converged telecom services. Airtel will also offer additional data of up to 1,000 GB on three of these plans. The additional data would be available on a six-month period. Rs 799 per month plan will offer 200 GB of additional data over the prescribed 100 GB with 40 MBPs speed. Rs 1,099 plan will offer 500 GB additional data for six months in addition to 300 GB data originally offered. Rs 1,599 plan comes with 1,000 GB free data in addition to 600 GB with 300 Mbps speed. These plans are offered with unlimited local and STD calls and other benefits. 

Airtel, as per information, will begin offering these services from September 5 onward.