How Is Tata Turning Air India Flyers Into Telecom Customers?
The share of the company, which is a global digital ecosystem enabler powering today’s fast-growing digital economy in more than 190 countries and territories, gained focus after its partnership with Air India.
With a market capitalization of Rs 47,749 crore, Tata Communications Ltd’s share on Thursday made a day high of Rs 1,690 per share, up by 1.8 percent from its previous close of Rs 1,660.15 per share. The stock of the company gave nearly no return over the last year.
What Happened?
Tata Communications has partnered with Air India to launch EasyRoam, an Air India-branded travel SIM available as both a physical SIM and eSIM. The service will initially cover 30 countries, with plans to expand to 190 countries, allowing Air India passengers to access voice and data services abroad through roaming packs starting at Rs 241 excluding taxes.
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Why Is Tata Communications Betting on Travel SIMs?
Monetising its existing network: Tata Communications already has a global roaming network with partnerships across 600+ mobile operators. EasyRoam allows it to take this existing infrastructure closer to travellers and generate revenue through travel connectivity plans.
Tapping a growing travel need: International travellers increasingly need affordable and seamless mobile connectivity as soon as they land. Partnering with Air India gives Tata Communications direct access to international travellers and a ready distribution channel for its roaming services.
Where will the money come from?
The SIM itself is initially free, but travellers pay for roaming packs. The plans start at Rs 241 excluding taxes, with different prices depending on destination and plan. So Tata Communications and Air India are effectively trying to create a new revenue stream from international travel connectivity using existing network relationships.
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What is EasyRoam, and why would Tata Communications want this??
Travel SIM : EasyRoam is a physical SIM or eSIM that lets Air India passengers access voice and data services abroad without arranging connectivity after reaching their destination.
Uses existing network : Tata Communications already works with 600+ mobile network operators, so it can use its existing global connectivity infrastructure instead of building networks itself.
Moves closer to customers : The product allows Tata Communications to take its existing roaming capabilities directly to travellers, with Air India providing a ready customer and distribution base.
30 countries initially, expanding to up to 190 countries : This is important because it shows the potential scale of the offering. Up to 1GB complimentary data, this is part of the initial customer proposition and helps explain how Tata/Air India are trying to make the product attractive.
Conclusion
The EasyRoam partnership allows Tata Communications to take its existing global connectivity capabilities closer to end customers. With access to 600+ mobile network operators and Air India providing a ready base of international travellers, the travel SIM could help Tata Communications build a new consumer-facing revenue stream while expanding its reach in the international connectivity market.
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About the Company
Tata Communications, part of the Tata Group, is a global digital connectivity company operating across 190+ countries and territories. It provides connectivity, cloud, security, collaboration, and media services to businesses worldwide. The company counts 300 Fortune 500 companies among its customers and connects businesses to 80 percent of the world’s cloud giants.
Financial Highlight : Revenue increased to Rs 6,583 crore in Q1 FY27 from Rs 5,960 crore in Q1 FY26, registering a 10.45 percent increase YoY. Operating Profit rose to Rs 1,230 crore in Q1 FY27 from Rs 1,137 crore in Q1 FY26, up 8.18 percent YoY, while net profit declined to Rs 130 crore from Rs 190 crore, down 31.58 percent YoY. EPS stood at Rs 4.71 in Q1 FY27, down 29.39 percent from Rs 6.67 in Q1 FY26.