Bharti Airtel has recently announced a strategic partnership with Blinkit, the quick commerce platform, to provide customers with 10-minute SIM card delivery. This collaboration marks a pioneering move in the telecom industry, aiming to streamline the process of acquiring a new SIM or porting to the Airtel network. The service is currently live in 16 cities across India, with plans to expand to more locations in the future.
With this partnership, customers can now order an Airtel SIM card through the Blinkit app and have it delivered to their doorstep within 10 minutes for a nominal convenience fee of ₹49. This eliminates the need to visit a physical store, making it more convenient for users to get connected. The service caters to both prepaid and postpaid connections, and also supports Mobile Number Portability (MNP) for those wishing to switch from another network.
To activate the SIM card, customers can complete a self-KYC (Know Your Customer) process using their Aadhaar number. This eliminates paperwork and simplifies the activation process. Airtel has provided an online activation video and offers customer support through the Airtel Thanks app to guide users through the process. New customers can also contact a dedicated helpline for assistance. However, customers must activate the SIM within 15 days of delivery to ensure a smooth transition.
The 16 cities where the 10-minute SIM delivery service is currently available are Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ahmedabad, Surat, Chennai, Bhopal, Indore, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Lucknow, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
Siddharth Sharma, CEO – Connected Homes and Director of Marketing, Bharti Airtel, emphasized that simplifying customer lives is central to Airtel's mission. He stated that the partnership with Blinkit for 10-minute SIM card delivery aligns with this goal and that Airtel plans to expand the service to more cities in the future.
Albinder Dhindsa, Founder and CEO of Blinkit, added that the collaboration saves customers time and hassle by delivering SIM cards directly to their homes in just 10 minutes. He highlighted that Blinkit handles the delivery while Airtel simplifies the self-KYC and activation process, offering customers the convenience of choosing between prepaid or postpaid plans and porting their numbers.
This partnership between Airtel and Blinkit signifies the evolution of quick commerce beyond traditional categories like groceries, marking its entry into the telecom sector. By leveraging Blinkit's rapid delivery network and Airtel's streamlined activation process, customers can now enjoy a seamless and convenient experience when acquiring a new SIM card or switching to the Airtel network.
