Vodafone, Flipkart tie up to offer 4G smartphones as cheap as Rs 999

Telecom operator Vodafone and e-commerce retailer Flipkart announced a tie up on Wednesday to provide a range of entry-level 4G smartphones to buyers at an effective price of Rs 999.

The offer is available for all existing and new Vodafone prepaid subscribers. The buyers can avail the offer under Flipkart's #MyFirst4GSmartphone campaign and get cashbacks, according to Gadget360.

Under the new offer, any existing or new Vodafone prepaid customer will require to recharge their accounts with ₹5,400 in a period of 36 months, with a minimum denomination of Rs 150 per month.

After 18 months, the subscribers will receive a cashback worth Rs 900, while after another 18-month period, a cashback worth Rs 1,100 will be given - totalling the cashback of Rs 2,000. The cashback will be credited to their Vodafone M-Pesa wallets.

By offering 4G smartphones at this price point, the telco aims to democratize access to Vodafone SuperNet 4G. It also aims to encourage current non-users of 4G to upgrade and enjoy a richer user experience with Vodafone SuperNet 4G.

Smartphone models that are eligible for the Vodafone offer are from brands such as Micromax, iVoomi, Yu Televentures, Xolo, Intex, Swipe, and Alcatel.

A few months ago, the teleco operator had separately partnered with Micromax and China's Transsion Group-owned Itel Mobile to make their entry-level options even more affordable.

In an attempt to take on Jio, Vodafone in last October announced a similar partnership with Micromax by offering the Bharat-2 Ultra 4G-capable feature phone at an effective price of Rs 999.

Last month, it announced another partnership with Itel Mobile to launch the Itel A20 with an effective price of Rs 1,590.

Besides, Bharti Airtel and BSNL also brought similar such smartphone deals. In December, Airtel partnered with Intex to launch smartphones at an effective price of Rs 1,649. BSNL in October brought the Micromax Bharat 1 as a rival against Rs 999 Jio Phone.