Glamorous actress, Pooja Umashankar is brand ambassador for Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel the third largest telecommunications operator in the world with a network in 18 countries, celebrated its 8th anniversary in Sri Lanka at a ceremony held at the Movenpick hotel Colombo recently. "We entered the Sri Lanka market eight years ago, and was the last to commence operations here. Our telecommunication network is found in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and in African countries,” said CEO/MD of Bharti Airlel, Jinesh Hegde addressing the media present on the occasion.

Referring to business development in Sri Lanka, he said Airtel has invested Rs. 64 billion over the past eight years to build networks in rural areas."We have brought systems that suit all types of devices used here and to keep the cost down."

He said setting up networks in rural areas have helped youth to have access to the Internet, adding that according to the recently published Internet Speed Test Results by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Airtel was found to be the fastest among all 3G net works in the country and the most preferred mobile telecommunication brand among the youth of Sri Lanka.

Internet penetration in Sri Lanka especially in rural areas was far ahead than some of the neighboring countries, "Airtel wouldn't be where it is without the support of its subscribers. To uphold our promise to them of 40 per cent faster Internet, we have expanded our 3G reach by 40 per cent over the last two years.”

He said the company has had multiple partnerships with the private sector and have tied up with the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and the University of Kelaniya to provide youth with leadership development, communications, and business related leadership programmes for students in the Business faculty.

“With a view to further strengthen the brand image of Airtel we have named the much adored actress Pooja Umashankar as the Brand Ambassador for 2017, who is widely acclaimed for winning the hearts of the youth of the country,” he said.

Bharti Airtel Lanka commenced commercial operations in Sri Lanka on January 12, 2009 and was the fastest operator to reach one million customers in Sri Lanka.

Ms. Umashankar said it was 15 years ago when she first got her mobile phone with an Airtel connection and she did not change the number since then. “I am grateful and thankful and proud for having chosen me as the Brand Ambassador for Airtel.”