Airtel launches services in the UK to connect NRIs to India

Company Brief

New Delhi, August 17, 2008

Bharti Airtel, India’s leading telecom services provider, today entered the UK market with the launch of its virtual calling card service ‘Airtel CallHome’. The service aims to bring 1.6 million NRIs and students in the UK closer to their friends and families in India, by offering truly ‘superior’ value including unmatched call quality, extremely competitive call rates, two touch speed dialing and a host of value added services. Subscribers in the UK will now be able to call India at 3.5 pence per minute through toll access and 4.5 pence per minute through toll free access. The same rates will apply to all calls to India, irrespective of service provider. You can also make calls to other countries, as per the list available on airtelcallhome.com.

As a part of its launch offer, Airtel is offering 25 minutes of free talk time trial to all subscribers to experience the service quality. Subscribers will also get 50% extra talk time over and above what is purchased bringing effective call rates down to 2.3 pence/min. Additionally, in case a subscriber refers someone under the Refer-a-Friend program, he/she will get 100 minutes of free talk-time, for each successful referral.

“We are extremely proud to announce the launch of the Airtel CallHome service in the UK. The UK has one of the largest NRI populations in the world. Our aim is to serve this Indian community better by changing the rules of the game and delivering a greater value for money service with superior call quality and world class service standards,” said Mr David Nishball, President, Enterprise Services, Bharti Airtel Ltd. He added, “Our strategy for the CallHome service is to be the preferred choice to connect to India from across the world.”

Ease of use: Customers need to log on www.airtelcallhome.com, create a personal account and the customer immediately gets a PIN to start calling. This virtual calling service is available 24X7 as per convenience of the customers. Additionally, the online account allows customers to have complete control over their usage, payment history and new promotional scheme at all times.

Unique features:Two touch speed dial: ";Unlike Physical calling cards where customer has to go through a cumbersome dialing process, dialing via Airtel CallHome is as simple as pressing two buttons. Customers can now register up to 10 telephone numbers in UK for outgoing calls in UK. Thereafter, they can configure up to 50 numbers in India that they call frequently, and store them as a short code (Easy Dial feature). Once the access number is stored as a “Speed Dial” on the handset – they simply need to press two buttons on the phone to connect with his friends and family in India, instantly and conveniently.

Value added services: Customers can also access other services such as Astro chat and Friends chat. For Astrology Chat, customers will be able to speak to an astrologer back in India at all times and get personalized consultation at just 49 pence per minute. For Friends Chat, customers will be able to make friends at just 29 pence/min.

Easy payment options: Available on the pre paid option only. Payment for pre paid charges will be accepted through a credit card on the web portal through a secure payment gateway. Customers will have the option to top up their calling minutes using an Indian credit card from India as well. Additionally, customers will also be able to access their personal account through toll free access numbers that can be accessed from anywhere in the UK.

For further information, please contact:

Airtel

Vibha Gupta

Mobile: +91-9810703396

Email: vibha.gupta@airtel.in