Airtel Telemedia Services, India’s “largest private broadband and telephone service provider,” has announced its launch of a new Web portal (airtellive.com) in partnership with Google, who will be co-branding the effort. The company’s customers “will receive free access” to the software solutions held within the Google Apps suite, according to UNI.



Airtel broadband customers will get access to Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, and a customizable start page, all within the portal environment. UNI also mentioned that Airtel has signed deals with companies like Shaadi.com, Naukri.com, and 24׷guru.



Google, a distant third-place participant in the global email race, is evidently looking to expand across international reaches as much as possible, particularly in Central and Southeast Asia, where broadband access is very much still in an early stage of distribution. Will it make a significant impression through this promotion? It can’t hurt to sign with India’s purported preeminent network operator.