Tata Tele eyes a lakh True Paid users in Gujarat

Telecom companies spruce up services to attract subscribers

Tata Teleservices on Friday announced the launch of its SIM card-based pre-paid service with unique features such as one-second pulse and 100 per cent talktime.

Announcing the launch, Jagrut Vyas, chief operating officer, Gujarat circle, Tata Teleservices, said the company expects to add over a lakh pre-paid subscribers in the state in the first year.

"The basic questions that were asked by customers have been answered by the new service. Why should there be a rental on prepaid services and what are the hidden costs. Transparency is our motto and we will publicise exactly what we will offer. I expect a tremendous response to the new prepaid service," said Vyas, while addressing reporters on Friday. TSL's pre paid service has been named True Paid.

This will be the first SIM card-based CDMA service and, as part of the introductory offer, a free usage period will be extended to all True Paid subscribers with effect from Saturday.

During the offer, customers can make free calls for up to 100,000 seconds, can send 2000 SMS free to any network and can download ring tones, wallpapers and games free. Customers will, however, be required to purchase CDMA handsets.

Vyas said that the value of the recharge coupons will be decided at a later stage as all new True paid subscribers will have the offer until November 14. "However, we will provide recharge options from the low end to the very high-end," he said.

Asked whether existing post paid customers will have the option of migrating to the prepaid category, Vyas said that this option will soon be worked out as existing Tata Indicom post paid users would like to migrate to the pre-paid segment.

"We will work out that offer by October, so that post paid customers can shift to pre paid if they wish to," he said.

Vyas attempted to evade a question on whether the True paid launch will trigger off another revision of tariff phase in the pre paid segment.

"Here is a service that is completely transparent and absolutely easy to follow with no hidden costs. Others will have to compete with us on grounds of transparency," he said.