Apple Teams Up with Bharti Airtel to Boost Digital Services in India

Apple's partnership with Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest telecom firm, aims to expand its user base for Apple TV+ and Apple Music. The alliance will offer free streaming to Airtel's 281 million customers, enhancing Apple's presence in India where its market share for iPhones is limited but growing.

Apple is forming a strategic partnership with Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest telecom company, to expand its footprint in the Indian digital content market. This collaboration aims to offer Apple TV+ and Apple Music to many of Airtel's 281 million customers, marking a significant expansion for Apple's services.

In India, Apple intends to boost its revenue from services such as apps, payments, and media. Apple Music, tailored to the Indian market with Bollywood and regional-language songs, will be available via Airtel's Wynk music app, which is set to close as this partnership takes hold.

Despite Apple's iPhones making up just 6% of India's smartphones, this partnership signals Apple's commitment to growing its presence in a crucial market. The agreement also allows Airtel to focus on distribution rather than content creation, potentially saving millions in licensing fees.

(With inputs from agencies.)