Ride-sharing app Uber has struck a deal with Bharti Airtel that will let Indians pay for their trips through the wireless carrier's mobile wallet.
Airtel Money users can now link their accounts from within the Uber app and opt to use it for rides. A promotion also sees new Uber riders get a Rs 500 discount on their first ride using Airtel Money.
As part of the partnership, Uber will also offer commuters free in-car high-speed internet, powered by Airtel 4G, in all of the Indian cities in which it operates.
Amit Jain, president, Uber India, says: "Airtel is leading the way for wireless connectivity, and as our telecom partner, will help us in our quest toward transforming urban mobility for hundreds of millions of commuters in India."
The deal with India's largest mobile network operator is the latest move designed to help Uber compete with popular local rivals such as Ola, which recently raised $400 million in a funding round.
In May Hyderabad became the first city in which the darling of the sharing, digital economy began letting users pay for their trips in cash.