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Airtel Apple Music: Expands Digital Bundles Bucket
Bharti Airtel is steadily transforming from a traditional telecom operator into a full-fledged digital ecosystem provider. In its latest move, the company has reportedly started offering free Apple Music subscriptions to prepaid customers in India, marking an important step in expanding its content and services portfolio.
The development, first reported by Telecom Talk, suggests that Airtel prepaid users can now enjoy Apple Music for six months at no extra cost. After this promotional period, the subscription will auto-renew at ₹119 per month. The offer is visible to some customers through the Airtel Thanks app, although Airtel has not yet made an official announcement regarding eligibility or rollout details.
Expanding Beyond Postpaid and Broadband
Until now, Airtel’s partnership with Apple was primarily limited to postpaid and broadband users, who were able to enjoy bundled Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions. Extending this benefit to the prepaid segment significantly widens the customer base, as prepaid users make up the majority of Airtel’s subscriber count in India.
Interestingly, reports indicate that this benefit is not restricted to high-value recharges or unlimited 5G packs. Some users have spotted the offer on non-unlimited plans as well, suggesting that Airtel may be taking an inclusive approach to reach a wider audience.
Airtel’s Bundling Strategy: Entertainment Meets Productivity
The Apple Music trial is only the latest step in Airtel’s broader bundling strategy. Over the past year, the telecom giant has partnered with both Indian and global platforms to add premium entertainment and productivity tools to its recharge packs.
In early 2025, Airtel introduced new prepaid bundles with access to 25+ OTT platforms. Popular names such as Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, SonyLIV, Lionsgate Play, Hoichoi, SunNext, and Aha are all part of these content-rich plans. With streaming options available in 16+ Indian languages, Airtel aims to position itself as the go-to provider for entertainment diversity.
For example:
₹279 Plan: One-month validity with Netflix Basic, Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, and Airtel Xstream Play Premium. Airtel highlighted that these OTT subscriptions alone are worth nearly ₹750.
₹598 Plan: Unlimited 5G data + unlimited calling + bundled OTT platforms with a 28-day validity.
₹1,729 Plan: A premium recharge offering 84 days of unlimited 5G data, voice calls, and the same OTT bundle.
Additionally, Airtel has also introduced “content-only” recharges for users who primarily want entertainment perks without committing to heavy data or calling packs.
Beyond Entertainment: Airtel Bets on AI
While OTT bundles and Apple Music expand Airtel’s presence in entertainment, the company is also taking bold steps into the AI-driven productivity space.
In July 2025, Airtel announced free access to Perplexity AI Pro for all its users. The premium AI subscription, priced globally at nearly ₹17,000 annually, provides advanced tools including:
Access to next-gen AI models
File uploads and document analysis
AI-powered image generation
Enhanced search and productivity features
This move signaled that Airtel is not just competing with rival telecom companies on data speeds and call quality, but also positioning itself as a digital lifestyle enabler for both entertainment and productivity.
Why Apple Music Could Be a Game Changer for Prepaid Users
For many prepaid customers, premium streaming apps remain a luxury, with free or ad-supported platforms being the default choice. By offering a six-month free trial of Apple Music, Airtel is likely aiming to:
Encourage trials among prepaid users who haven’t used premium music services before.
Strengthen customer stickiness, making users more likely to stay with Airtel for digital services beyond just telecom connectivity.
Convert free users into paying customers after the trial period ends, generating recurring revenue for both Airtel and Apple.
Apple Music’s rich library of 100 million+ tracks, curated playlists, and integration with Apple devices may appeal to both casual listeners and music enthusiasts.
What Should Users Do Now?
Since Airtel hasn’t made an official announcement, the offer appears to be rolling out selectively. Prepaid users can:
Open the Airtel Thanks app to check if the Apple Music banner is available.
Activate the six-month free trial if eligible.
Track the subscription renewal date, as the plan will auto-renew at ₹119 per month after the free period.
Final Thoughts
Bharti Airtel’s decision to extend Apple Music to prepaid customers is another strong indication that telecom companies are evolving into digital service providers. With bundled entertainment (OTT, music, TV) and productivity tools (AI platforms), Airtel is building a comprehensive ecosystem around its core connectivity business.
If rolled out widely, the Apple Music trial could give Airtel prepaid users a fresh reason to stay engaged with the brand, while also opening new revenue opportunities through digital service monetization.
For now, prepaid customers should keep an eye on the Airtel Thanks app to see if they can claim this benefit and enjoy a premium music experience at no additional cost.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on details first reported by official sources and publicly available news, including Google News. We have adapted and rewritten the content for clarity, SEO optimization, and reader experience. All trademarks and images belong to their respective owners.