Perplexity.ai has strongly pushed back against claims that Airtel customers in India are getting a lesser version of its premium AI service under the free Perplexity Pro offer. The controversy began when a Reddit post alleging that the Airtel-linked accounts were slower, skipped citations, did not show charts, and sometimes provided less detailed answers went viral. The user described it as more of a “Pro-Lite” experience than the full-fledged Pro plan, sparking concern among Indian users who had signed up for Airtel’s 5G bundle.
The post, which received hundreds of upvotes, quickly became a talking point on tech forums and social media, with some users questioning whether the free plan had hidden limitations compared to the paid version. Others speculated that the reduced performance could be part of an intentional cost-saving measure. However, Perplexity has now stepped forward to set the record straight.
Speaking to the Financial Express, Jesse Dwyer, a representative from Perplexity.ai, made it clear that these claims are “absolutely false.” He emphasised that Indian Airtel customers get the exact same Perplexity Pro experience as paying subscribers in other parts of the world. “India is very dear to us as a company and we would hope to correct this misunderstanding for Indian readers,” he said. Dwyer also highlighted that misinformation about Perplexity often circulates online, sometimes to create unnecessary outrage or gain traction on social media.
The company reiterated that Airtel users receive the full set of premium features. This includes access to advanced AI models capable of delivering highly detailed and context-aware responses, the ability to upload and process files, image generation tools, and a range of other high-end functionalities. There are no performance downgrades, no locked features, and no reduced access compared to the regular Pro subscription.
Airtel’s Perplexity Pro offer is part of its 5G plan benefits and is valued at Rs 17,000 per year. It is marketed as one of the flagship perks of the telecom operator’s collaboration with Perplexity, giving millions of users in India access to powerful AI capabilities at no extra cost. This partnership is seen as a strategic move to add value to Airtel’s offerings in an increasingly competitive telecom market while boosting the visibility and adoption of Perplexity’s AI services.
With AI assistants becoming an integral part of productivity, research, and creative work, Perplexity’s clarification aims to reassure Indian users that they are not being shortchanged. Instead, they are getting the same globally trusted Pro-level service that professionals, students, and creators around the world rely on.
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