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Airtel & Bajaj Finance to jointly offer financial services
MUMBAI: Bharti and Bajaj are getting together. No, it’s not a couple from heartland India that’s getting hitched (would we be writing about a couple from rural India? Just kidding, on second thoughts, we might. But nonetheless this punning around was to make this heavy piece feel light!)
Anyway getting back to business: it’s India’s second largest telco Bharti Airtel and non-banking finance company Bajaj Finance that have p has shaken hands to create a one-of-its-kind digital platform for financial services.
The partnership brings together Airtel’s vast customer base of 370 million, 12 lakh+ strong distribution network, and Bajaj Finance’s diversified suite of 27 product lines, and distribution heft of 5,000+ branches and 70,000 field agents.
Under the agreement, firstly, Airtel will progressively offer close to 10 Bajaj Finance’s financial products to its customers within this calendar year. Secondly, customers can apply for Airtel-Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI card through the Airtel Thanks App, providing access to a range of offers and flexible EMI options.
Bharti Airtel vice-chairman & MD Gopal Vittal said, “We are building Airtel Finance as a strategic asset for the group and will continue to invest in and grow the business.”
Bajaj Finance managing director Rajeev Jain, added: “Together with Airtel, we seek to be the financier of choice to India and enable millions to access financial services, even in remote areas.”
When it does manage to do that, it sure would have proved to have been a valuable handshake.
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Hisense launches Intelli Cool Pro air conditioners in India
New range brings rapid inverter cooling, Wi Fi voice control and R32 refrigerant
MUMBAI: Hisense is turning up the cool factor in India’s home appliance market with the launch of its Intelli Cool Pro Series room air conditioners, a new premium range designed to combine faster cooling with smarter connectivity.
Announced on 9 March, the launch expands the company’s residential air conditioner portfolio in India and brings its latest inverter technology and connected features to Indian homes.
At the centre of the new range is Hisense’s QSD rapid inverter technology, designed to accelerate compressor performance and bring down room temperature quickly after the unit is switched on. The system is built on the company’s nine generations of inverter development and aims to deliver stable cooling, reduced power fluctuations and improved long term reliability.
The Intelli Cool Pro Series also features an AI smart mode that automatically adjusts cooling levels according to room conditions and user preferences. The goal is simple: maintain comfort while keeping energy consumption in check.
Beyond cooling, the company is pitching the new models as a solution for healthier indoor air. The units are equipped with a 4 in 1 healthy filter designed to capture fine particulate matter, while a self clean function helps maintain hygiene within the system and improves overall air quality inside the home.
Connectivity is another key focus. The air conditioners come with built in Wi Fi through the Hisense ConnectLife platform, allowing users to control and monitor their AC remotely using a smartphone. Voice control is supported in both English and Hindi, while features such as scheduling and temperature customisation make it possible to manage cooling settings from anywhere.
From an environmental perspective, the new range uses R32 refrigerant, which has a global warming potential around 65 per cent lower than the commonly used R410A refrigerant. The company says the shift supports its broader push towards more energy efficient and environmentally responsible appliances.
The Intelli Cool Pro Series is designed to deliver powerful and even cooling across different room sizes. It includes features such as quick chill technology with 3D airflow design, four way auto swing for uniform air distribution and long distance airflow to cool larger spaces effectively. Multiple sleep modes, quiet operation and stabiliser free performance are also part of the package.
Hisense India chief executive officer Pankaj Rana said modern air conditioning needs to go beyond basic cooling as consumers increasingly look for intelligent performance, energy efficiency and healthier indoor environments. He added that the Intelli Cool Pro Series combines rapid inverter technology, AI driven adaptability and smart connectivity to meet the evolving needs of Indian households.
Along with the Intelli Cool Pro Series, Hisense has also introduced the Intelli Cool Series and the Eco Cool Series in India, further expanding its presence in the country’s growing air conditioner market.
