Bharti Airtel on Thursday cut mobile broadband rates on its 3G networks by up to 70 per cent, a move that could be emulated by others in near future.

"Volume based browsing rate on 3G down from 10 paise per 10kb to 3 paise per 10 Kb. This will be applicable for 3G non pack users with effect from May 17, 2012," the company said in a statement today.

India has more than 900 million mobile phone users out of which about 12 million of those use 3G services. The experts feel that with the prices coming down, the usage is expected to get a boost.

Airtel had purchased 3G spectrum in 13 of the 22 circles for Rs 12,295 crore in the 3G and the broadband wireless auctions conducted by the government in 2010.

The offer is for those customers who have not subscribed for 3G service, which provides average high Internet speed of between 1 megabit per second to 2 mbps, under any special offer and want to use high speed Internet as per their need.

The statement mentioned special tariff for prepaid users starting at Rs 10, which will enable them 30 minutes of Internet access on its 3G network with validity of 1 day.

Apart from this, Airtel 3G prepaid users can buy 3G high speed Internet service starting Rs 45 for 150 MB with for use within 7 days to Rs 1,500 for 10 Gigabit (GB) to be used within period of 30 days.

Airtel currently offers 1 GB Internet usage to its pre-paid users for Rs 98 which is valid for period of 30 days.

The new rates for postpaid users ranges between Rs 100 for 300 MB to Rs 1,500 for 10 GB use within 30 days.

The company also announced 'Smartbytes', an additional usage pack, for 3G postpaid users who exhaust there monthly limit of high speed Internet usage.

 “With Airtel 3G Smartbytes, postpaid mobile customers will have uninterrupted access to high speed browsing on their mobile devices even after exhausting their monthly data limits. The Smartbytes additional data usage packs will be available in a range of pre-determined price options that allow Airtel 3G customers to choose a plan that suits their needs”, the company said.

The company announced Smartbyte package ranging between Rs 80 for 200 MB to Rs 300 for 1024 MB or 1 GB.