Airtel, one of India’s largest telecom operators, is taking a bold step into the AI space by offering a free one-year subscription to Perplexity Pro, a premium AI-powered search engine service. Valued at ₹17,000, this subscription is available at no cost to Airtel users via the Airtel Thanks app.
This marks a significant shift in telecom partnerships. While Airtel and other carriers typically bundle entertainment platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, this is the first time a telecom provider in India has partnered with an AI-based productivity platform.
What Is Perplexity Pro?
Unlike traditional AI chatbots such as ChatGPT or Gemini, Perplexity functions more like a smart AI search engine. It allows users to ask questions and instantly receive curated answers pulled from the web, using advanced language models like GPT-4.1 (OpenAI) and Claude 4.0 Sonnet (Anthropic).
The Pro version further enhances this experience, allowing users to:
- Perform up to 300 AI-powered searches per day
- Upload documents and files for summarisation and analysis
- Use text-to-image tools like DALL·E
- Access a powerful feature called Labs
One of the biggest highlights of the Perplexity Pro plan is the Labs feature. It enables users to perform complex tasks like creating spreadsheets, dashboards, and web apps.
It works by doing 10+ minutes of self-supervised AI work using tools such as deep web browsing, code execution, charts, and image generation.
Labs is especially useful for professionals, students, and creators who need research-backed outputs quickly and interactively.
How to Claim Your Free Perplexity Pro Subscription?
- Open the Airtel Thanks app on your phone.
- Go to the ‘Rewards’ section.
- Find the banner that reads: Get 12 months of Perplexity Pro worth ₹17,000 FREE.
- Tap on it and then click ‘Claim Now’.
- You’ll be redirected to Perplexity’s official site to sign up or log in.
- The promo code will be applied automatically, and you need to sign up with your Gmail account to access Perplexity Pro for free.
- No credit card or payment details are required, since this is a free offer for Airtel users.
This offer sets Airtel apart as the first Indian telecom operator to give users premium access to an AI assistant and productivity tool instead of just video content. It reflects a growing interest in AI tools for daily use, whether for learning, content creation, business, or research.
As AI becomes more accessible and integrated into daily workflows, such partnerships could redefine how telecom brands add value beyond just data plans and streaming bundles.
