Popular instant messaging platform, Hike today introduced a new feature called ‘Hike Total.’ This feature lets users access essential services such as Messaging, News, Recharge and more even without an active data connection and paves the way for them to get on Data by providing packs at as low as Re 1. The Hike Total has four key elements- Single Login, Light Services, Works without data, and Sachet Data Packs.

A Single Login is required via the Phone Number for all of the Total services such as Messaging, News, Horoscope, Recharge, Wallet, Cricket Scores and Rail information. Services on Hike Total are called as Light Services as they consume < 100 KB to 1 MB, ensuring a lightweight footprint on the device.

And the third key element of Hike Total is it works even without data. All of the services built on Total can be accessed even without Data via proprietary technology. “Developed in-house, the proprietary technology, based on the USSD protocol does the heavy lifting of encrypting, compressing and transmitting data. It has effectively supercharged USSD to help bring an uninterrupted experience to the users even an active data connection,” said Hike in a blog post.

And the last and major important aspect is the Sachet Data Packs. Users will be able to purchase Sachet Data Packs starting at as low as Re 1 from inside the Hike Total itself. With this feature, Hike is looking to lower the cost of accessing the internet and introducing people to data.

Hike says that it has worked extremely closely with telecom partners to enable the USSD technology & Data Upsell on Hike Total. Top telecom operators Airtel, Vodafone, Aircel & BSNL, are the telecom partners which cover over 42% of the telecom market.

Furthermore, on the device side, Intex and Karbonn are the first smartphone partners. The Hike Total will be available on four smartphone models across Intex and Karbonn- Aqua Lions N1, Aqua Lions T1, Aqua Lions T1-Lite and the Karbonn A40 India. These devices are scheduled to hit the shelves starting March 1, 2018.

So for the eligible devices, telcos will offer data packs at as low as Re 1. Hike Total users will also get up to Rs 200 to spend on any of the services when they buy one of these devices. That said, Hike is yet to announce the data packs though.