Airtel, India’s largest mobile operator, is set to launch in Sri Lanka today and is offering  a free ‘Sim’ card to all those who apply for the service, calling for a price war with competitors. According to industry analysts the coming  of a new mobile operator in the country after a long time has led to high excitement levels among people.
Bharti Airtel Lanka (Airtel), the Sri Lankan arm of the leading Indian mobile operator which announced its entry with the greeting ‘Hello Sri Lanka” by Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan in newspaper, radio and TV advertisements, said in full-page newspaper ads headlined ‘Thank you Sri Lanka” taken out on Monday that anyone could walk into a Airtel retail outlet between January 12 and 25 and collect a free Sim card. “The connection will be activated on a recharge of Rs 100 and customers will receive a talk-time bonus of Rs 100 within 48 hours,” it said.
The entry of the new incumbent will also rejuvenate  the mobile phone industry with others running their own ads promoting their product. Dialog, the country’s market leader, said in a full page ad titled ‘Namaste’ India’ that IDD calls to any Indian mobile or fixed phone was available at Rs 10 per minute. Tigo had reportedly reached 2 million subscribers in two years and offered 30% off on an additional Sim card. Hutch offered a double reload for the price of a single reload. “The price war has begun. This is good for the consumer,” an industry analyst.

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