AirTel Launches Pan India GPRS Network

AirTel has unveiled Pan India GPRS network with the simultaneous roll out of comprehensive, life style, fun and business applications services across all its 15 mobile circles in the country.AirTel also launched an application MMS on General Package Radio Services (GPRS) service, which would enable its customers to send their text, messages with pictures, images and sound clips. Kareena Kapoor, a film star, formally launched the service by sending the first AirTel MMS message to the Indian cricket team who is playing its first one-day international match in the World Cup. This service is available for the AirTel customers from February 15, 2003. The AirTel MMS is supported by a MMS Masala portal in its website www.airtelworld.com, whereby customers can download photographs of their favorite celebrities and send personalized greetings to their loved ones. MMS would be offered free for the first 60 days. Commenting on what would be the charge for sending a MMS message after the trial period is over, Hemant Sachdev, Director — Marketing, Bharti Enterprises said that it is not at yet decided and would depend on the policies that would be prevailing at that time.

AirTel also announced full roaming on its AirTel Magic pre-paid card without any activation and monthly charge. All the services launched by AirTel would also be offered to all AirTel Magic consumers as well. The company also launched Mobile Office, another application of GPRS, for the business consumer. Through this consumers can access email and Internet on their Laptop using GPRS mobile and AirTel connection across metros and major Indian towns. 

AirTel also launched Harsha Mobile on its voice portal “646”, a new 365 day cricket expert comments service exclusively with Harsha Bhogle, a commentator. Bhogle gave his first update of the cricket match on February 12, 2003 between Indian and Holland and would keep providing updates six times a day. Cricket lovers could also send their best wishes with karaoke/voice messages to the Indian team through this new voice portal platform.

AirTel has also launched SMS based games and quiz bonanza for its customers across the country. The service allows customers to check updates, access cricket news, participate in quizzes, check match schedules, check player profiles and a host of other services along with an opportunity to participate and win Hyundai Santro cars and other exciting prizes buy scoring points. The subscriber needs to send the keyword “HARSHA” to the number “2003”. The subscriber would receive a welcome message detailing a lost of all key words on all option within the menu.

(CNS)