New Web-based calling service from VSNL

Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited, one of India's leading telecom service providers, will start offering from August 21 a new facility which will allow people of South Asian origin in the US to make calls to their country using its prepaid service without obtaining the calling cards.

This new service will compete with the several other providers, including Reliance Communications. But VSNL officials were upbeat about their offering.

Launching the new service, christened 'Trueroots International Calling Service', at a function attended by about 150 community leaders and business executives on Thursday evening, its top officials said their service would have the trademark of Tatas, a 'brand name known for unflinching quality.'

VSNL is a part of the $29-billion Tata Group. Speaking on the occasion, Head of Corporate Affairs for VSNL Sandeep Mathur said the new service would provide superior voice quality and easy access and connectivity without any hidden fee or extra charges.

The calls will be carried on VSNL's extensive global fibre optic network, one of the world's largest global submarine cable infrastructure. Officials did not immediately announce the rates but said

they would be competitive to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The trueroots service can be purchased online through a web portal or by calling VSNL customer service directly. It offers advanced features including a prepaid recharge option, which allows a calling account to be recharged through a credit card.

Other features include instant recognition of calling line ID for PIN-less dialling from up to 5 registered phone numbers, the ability to make up to three follow-on calls without having to redial the access number, speed dial capabilities for up to 5 frequently dialed numbers, and last number redial.

One of the new services, to be released this coming fall, will offer entry to a leading entertainment media hub, which will allow customers to gain access to premium content such as full length movies, including TV series, sports coverage, video games, music downloads, and karaokeofficials said, adding that much more would be added on an ongoing basis.(PTI).

VSNL launches Trueroots International Calling Service from US to other parts of the world. David Good, Tata chief representative, North America, with Sandeep Mathur, head, corporate affairs, VSNL, at a press conference in New York on August 16.

Photo: Paresh Gandhi