Airtel and Perplexity AI: A Game-Changing Partnership Offering Free Perplexity Pro to 360 Million Users:

Introduction

On July 17, 2025, Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Perplexity AI, a San Francisco-based AI-powered search and answer engine. This collaboration offers all 360 million Airtel customers—spanning mobile, broadband, and DTH services—a free 12-month subscription to Perplexity Pro, a premium service typically priced at ₹17,000 annually. This marks Perplexity’s first-ever tie-up with an Indian telecom company, signaling a bold push into one of the world’s largest digital markets. Exclusively accessible via the Airtel Thanks app, this offer democratizes access to advanced AI tools, empowering students, professionals, and everyday users with cutting-edge technology. This blog explores the details of the Airtel-Perplexity partnership, the features of Perplexity Pro, its significance in India’s AI landscape, and how users can claim this transformative offer.

The Airtel-Perplexity Partnership

The partnership between Airtel and Perplexity is a strategic move to enhance digital accessibility in India, where over 800 million internet users create a fertile ground for AI adoption. Airtel, with approximately 390 million wireless subscribers as of May 31, 2025, is leveraging its vast user base to deliver Perplexity Pro’s advanced AI capabilities at no cost. Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, described the collaboration as a “game-changing” initiative to help customers navigate digital trends with confidence and ease. Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized that the partnership makes “accurate, trustworthy, and professional-grade AI accessible” to diverse users, from students to working professionals and homemakers.

This move comes on the heels of Google’s announcement of a free one-year subscription to its Gemini 2.5 Pro AI tools for Indian college students, highlighting the intensifying competition in India’s AI market. Unlike Google’s student-focused offer, Airtel’s deal extends to all its customers, regardless of whether they use prepaid, postpaid, Wi-Fi, or DTH services. The offer, valid until January 17, 2026, ensures a year-long subscription from the activation date and does not auto-renew, protecting users from unexpected charges.

What is Perplexity Pro?

Perplexity AI, often dubbed a “Google Search disruptor,” is an AI-powered search and answer engine that delivers real-time, conversational, and deeply researched responses. Unlike traditional search engines that provide lists of links, Perplexity offers concise, verified answers using advanced language models like GPT-4.1, Claude 4.0 Sonnet, and Gemini 2.5 Pro. Its free version provides robust search capabilities, but the Pro version, typically priced at $20 per month (approximately ₹1,731 in India), unlocks a suite of enhanced features tailored for professionals and heavy users.

Key Features of Perplexity Pro

1. Hundreds of Daily Pro Searches: Users can perform up to 300 advanced searches per day, ideal for in-depth research and complex queries.

2. Access to Elite AI Models: Choose from top-tier models like GPT-4.1, Claude, and Perplexity’s in-house Sonar model for nuanced and comprehensive answers.

3. File Uploads and Analysis: Upload documents, PDFs, or data files for summarization and analysis, streamlining tasks like research and report generation.

4. Image Generation: Create visuals from text prompts, enhancing creative projects and presentations.

5. Perplexity Labs: Access a unique platform to build dashboards, web apps, and other tools, fostering innovation and productivity.

6. Exclusive Discord Community: Connect with other Pro users to share ideas, get tips, and engage with the Perplexity team.

7. Deep Research and Reasoning: Leverage Pro Search and Reasoning features for detailed, source-backed answers, perfect for academic and professional use.

These features make Perplexity Pro a versatile tool for students simplifying research, professionals streamlining tasks like market analysis, and casual users seeking quick, reliable answers.

How to Claim the Free Perplexity Pro Subscription

Airtel has made the activation process seamless through the Airtel Thanks app. Here’s a step-by-step guide to claim the offer:

1. Download or Open the Airtel Thanks App: Available on iOS and Android, ensure you’re logged in with your Airtel mobile, Wi-Fi, or DTH number.

2. Navigate to Rewards Section: On the app’s homepage, locate the “Rewards” or “Rewards & OTTs” section, or look for the Perplexity Pro offer banner.

3. Claim the Offer: Tap the “Claim Now” button next to the Perplexity Pro offer.

4. Sign In or Create an Account: When redirected to Perplexity’s website, sign in with an email, Google ID, or Apple ID, or create a new account.

5. Activate the Subscription: Enter the OTP sent to your Airtel number to activate the 12-month free subscription.
   

Once activated, users can access Perplexity Pro on the web or via Perplexity’s app, with no credit card or payment details required. The subscription auto-expires after one year, reverting to the free version unless users opt for a paid plan. The offer is available to both existing and new Airtel customers until January 17, 2026, but users must remain active Airtel subscribers to retain access.

Significance in India’s AI and Telecom Landscape

The Airtel-Perplexity partnership is a landmark move in India’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. With 360 million subscribers, Airtel’s decision to offer Perplexity Pro for free positions it as a leader in integrating AI into everyday life. This initiative aligns with India’s growing appetite for AI tools, driven by an 800-million-strong internet user base and increasing adoption of generative AI solutions. Perplexity, valued at over $1 billion after recent funding rounds, sees India as a key market to challenge Google’s search dominance, especially as competitors like OpenAI’s SearchGPT enter the fray.

For Airtel, the partnership is a strategic response to fierce competition from Reliance Jio, which had 472 million wireless subscribers and added 2.7 million net users in May 2025, compared to Airtel’s 275,000. By offering a ₹17,000 subscription at no cost, Airtel aims to retain existing customers and attract new ones, particularly in a market where subscriber erosion is a concern. The collaboration also enhances Airtel’s value-added services, complementing offerings like Airtel Xstream Play and Wynk Music, and positioning it as a forward-thinking telecom provider.

Social media sentiment on X reflects enthusiasm for the deal. Users like @Maddy_Web3 and @KommawarSwapnil praised the seamless activation process and the value of Perplexity Pro’s features, while @hannibal1631 shared a step-by-step guide, encouraging others to claim the offer. However, some, like @abhishek, questioned if there’s a “catch,” though Airtel’s no-auto-renewal policy addresses such concerns.

Benefits for Airtel Users

The free Perplexity Pro subscription unlocks significant benefits for diverse user groups:

• Students: Perplexity Pro can streamline research by providing concise, source-backed answers, as highlighted by Airtel’s example of a Rajkot student organizing content logically. Access to advanced AI models supports academic projects and collaboration.

• Professionals: Tools like file analysis and Perplexity Labs enable market analysis, report creation, and dashboard building, boosting productivity for business users.

• Casual Users: Image generation and conversational search make Perplexity Pro a versatile tool for everyday queries, from planning trips to exploring creative ideas.

• Developers and Innovators: Perplexity Labs offers a platform to experiment with AI-driven tools, fostering innovation in app development and data visualization.

This offer removes the ₹17,000 cost barrier, making professional-grade AI accessible to millions, from urban professionals to rural students.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While the partnership is a win for users, challenges remain. Perplexity must maintain its edge in a competitive AI market, where Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s offerings are gaining traction. Ensuring seamless integration and user education about Perplexity’s features will be key, as some Airtel users may be unfamiliar with AI-powered search engines. Airtel, meanwhile, must sustain its subscriber base to maximize the offer’s impact, especially amid Jio’s aggressive growth.

Looking ahead, this collaboration could pave the way for more AI-telecom partnerships in India. Perplexity’s prior tie-ups with SoftBank and T-Mobile in other markets suggest a scalable model, and its focus on India signals long-term investment. Future enhancements, like expanded Perplexity Labs features or integration with Airtel’s smart meter initiatives, could further enrich the user experience.

Conclusion

The Airtel-Perplexity partnership, announced on July 17, 2025, is a transformative step in making advanced AI accessible to 360 million Airtel users in India. By offering a free 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription, valued at ₹17,000, Airtel empowers its mobile, broadband, and DTH customers with tools for research, productivity, and creativity. Accessible via the Airtel Thanks app, the offer is a strategic move to strengthen Airtel’s market position and democratize AI in one of the world’s largest digital markets. As users embrace Perplexity Pro’s features—from advanced AI models to image generation and Perplexity Labs—this collaboration sets a new standard for telecom-AI synergy, promising a smarter, more connected future for India.