MTNL, AOL launch co-branded portal

CMN Correspondent

MUMBAI: Telephony major Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) and America's leading website provider AOL have jointly launched a co-branded portal, mtnl.aol.in.

Together the companies will offer Instant Messenger and e-mail services, cricket, music, movies (both Hollywood and Bollywood) and games, among others.

A Time Warner company, AOL is a global media and communications major, with operations across Europe, Canada and Asia. MTNL provides telecom services in Mumbai and Delhi metros.

The portal is launched on a revenue-sharing model, with MTNL getting around 35 per cent and remaining going to AOL.

The site also has a dedicated section for MTNL's offerings and services that include its broadband, One India plan and WiMax services.

"The partnership will leverage MTNL's network and AOL's web abilities to bring in a world class Internet experience to Indian customers. With adoption of Broadband skyrocketing, this strategic partnership leveraging the inherent strength of MTNL's network and AOL as a global web services player will bring to our subscribes a world class Internet experience," MTNL executive director J Gopal said at a press conference here today.

AOL vice president and general manager P G Ponnapa said, "AOL's suite of products and services layered over MTNL's expertise in total telecommunication services including internet access services and broadband services will catalyze the adoption of the Internet for the Broadband era."