Airtel launches enhanced CallHome service in the US

New Delhi: Indian telecommunications company Bharti Airtel has announced the launch of its enhanced Airtel CallHome service for calls from the US to India.

The enhanced version of the CallHome service displays strengthened focus on the 2.5 million-strong non-resident Indian (NRI) market in the US. Airtel has also enabled acceptance of credit card payments on its CallHome website through Indian credit cards, for the purchase of talk time for calling from the US to India. This feature is targeted at the over 700,000 Indian H1B visa holders, business travellers, tourists and students in the US.

The enhanced CallHome service pairs unmatched call clarity with great value for money rates. It also allows users to configure upto ten frequently dialled numbers into a single-key access hotline dial. Call rates are said to be 30 per cent lower than other offerings in the market.

Airtel has also come up with a customer referral reward program that will offer free talk-time. An Easy Dial facility enables customers to configure up to 50 numbers for quick dialling. Addiionally, a host of new value added services such as astrology, cricket, etc will allow users to access services that they normally do when they are back home in India.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch, David Nishball, president of enterprise services at Bharti Airtel Ltd. said, "When we launched the Airtel CallHome service a year ago, we set an unprecedented benchmark in pricing in the virtual calling card segment. Today, with the launch of the enhanced version and the enablement of payment through Indian credit cards, we are aiming to revolutionize the customer calling experience. With the success of the CallHome service in the US, we will be extending our service to target NRIs in two more countries by Q1 of FY 08-09."

Airtel had launched the CallHome service in the US in December 2006. Using its focus on enhancing the customer experience, Airtel conducted a benchmarking exercise that mapped customer calling behaviour and preferences, which were incorporated in the upgraded features.