Uber partners with Bharti Airtel to allow Airtel Money payments in India

Uber is making serious moves in India. After recently introducing cash payments, it’s now partnering with Bharti Airtel to allow users to make payments for trips with Airtel’s mobile wallet, Airtel Money.

The partnership between Bharti Airtel, the largest wireless carrier in India and third largest wireless carrier in the world, and Uber, the ride hailing service, is meant to allow for hassle free payments.

Users in India can already pay with credit card and cash and now those with Airtel Money will have a third option.

The partnership also extends further than payments for rides. Additionally, Mumbaikars, Uber says, will now be the first in India to enjoy free high-speed internet from Uber, which will be powered by Airtel 4, allowing riders to use the internet without incurring any data charges.

Read more: Uber will face legal action after alleged passenger rape in India

“Our partnership with Uber is directly in line with our commitment to offer innovative and relevant services for our customers” said Srini Gopalan, Director – Consumer Business, Bharti Airtel.

Gopalan expressed a desire to see the service spread across India.

Uber didn’t have the easiest time when it launched in India. It had to battle authorities after one of its drivers was accused of rape. Its way of dealing with this was to go on a massive strategy to make itself the number one choice ride hailing service in India.

“This unique partnership is built on our shared visions and strengths of broad, reliable networks and connecting people to their world, anytime, anywhere,” said Amit Jain, President, Uber India.

At the heart of Uber is incentives and with the new partnership, for a limited time, new Uber riders who top up their Airtel Money wallet stand to earn up to Rs. 500 for free. To use Airtel Money, Uber riders must add their Airtel Money payment and add their account.

Read more: Uber starts testing first-ever cash payments in India

As part of the partnership, Airtel will also become Uber’s official telecom partner in India and support the company’s rapid growth in the country by offering mobile, data and device plans to Uber driver-partners.

Airtel consumers will receive exclusive promotions, discounts and experiences from Uber.