US startup to offer free data in India

San Francisco-based startup TextMe has forayed into India with its app Simkarma, which will enable Android users to earn free mobile Internet across all major carriers in India in exchange for use of sponsored content.

Simkarma app lets users earn rupees by completing offers from third party apps (sponsored content). In other words, when users click on sponsored content, they earn credits from TextMe, which they can redeem for data.

Once users complete offers, they can redeem their balance on their mobile plans, which can be used anywhere on the net. The firm counts Amazon India and wink games among its sponsored clients.

“Simkarma is the first product we ever built that is tailored for a specific market. Our app is targeting all users who are looking for free mobile internet. It has a very large target audience,” said Julien Decot, Chief Revenue of Officer of TextMe.

TextMe, which has focused on the US, UK and Canada, is now focusing on the Indian market with Simkarma. “We intend to continue to innovate for our Indian users across free data, free text and free calls,” Decot said.
Started in 2011, TextMe focuses on the sponsored communication space offering free SMS, domestic and international calls and data top-ups. Since its start, more than 35 million people have signed up for its app, they claim.
The firm is self-funded with an annual revenue of $10 million, Decot said, adding it has been profitable for several years.

Foreign firms have been focusing on offering free internet to users in India. Jana, a Boston-based firm, reimburses data which users consume on its mCent app with content sponsored by companies. The reimbursed data can be used to access the Internet without restrictions.

“Simkarma is similar to Jana in the sense that it offers free mobile data in exchange for completing offers. But TextMe products differ from Jana’s, in the sense that TextMe is known as the leader not only for sponsored data but more generally for sponsored communication. For example, our other app, TextMe, is available in India and allows users to send free SMSes as well as make free calls to any Indian or international numbers,” Decot said.

Earlier this year, the telecom regulator barred the practice of differential rates for data usage.
The ruling effectively banned Facebook’s Free Basics, which offered users free access to a bouquet of sites but not to the entire Internet.

“We support net neutrality. When Indian users use Simkarma to earn free mobile Internet, they are free to use for any mobile services or app they wish to use. This is a key difference between our product and Facebook’s initiative with Free Basics,” Decot said.

Simkarma app lets users earn rupees by completing offers from third party apps

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