Airtel connects 2.5mn NRIs to their loved ones in India

Launches Airtel 'CallHome' service across 50 states in the United States of America

Mumbai: December 7th 2006: Bharti Airtel, India's leading telecom service provider, today announced its foray into the United States of America with the launch of Airtel CallHome service for Non Resident Indians based there. Supporting its success in India, the foray into the USA marks an important chapter in the growth of the $ 3.8 billion* company.

After leading the telecom sector in India, Airtel will take its telecom expertise to benefit over 2.5 million NRIs based in the United States of America. They will now be able to call their loved ones back in India at rates as low as 7.9 cents a minute. All they need to do is go to the Airtel website www.Airtelcallhome.com, create their personal account and download the calling service online.

In keeping with the spirit of ease and convenience that Airtel brings for its customers, Airtel 'CallHome' service is particularly attractive because it is accessible any time of the day or night, as per the convenience of the customer.

Commenting on the launch, Manoj Kohli, President Bharti Airtel Ltd., said, "Geography is history as they say. We are glad to be causing this paradigm shift. We have over 2.5 million Non Resident Indians in the United States who make over 450 million minutes of calls a month to their loved ones back here in India. We Indians are very expressive and emotional and love to connect with our near and dear ones. It makes me immensely happy that Airtel will dissolve the geographical boundaries and help people connect to their friends and family back here in India".

Compared to the other options available in the market, this service comes at a significant 40% less in terms of pricing. A big advantage of this service is also the simplicity it offers owing to the uniform rate of calling whether it is to any Airtel mobile or Landline or any other mobile phone or landline.

Mr. Vinod Sawhny, joint president, Enterprise Services, Bharti Airtel Limited said on the occasion, "It is a proud moment for us at Bharti Airtel as we make our first foray into the US market with Airtel CallHome service. The Enterprise Services SBU was created to address the needs of customers in India through the Corporates division as well as across continents through our Carriers division. This foray marks an important milestone in the Bharti Airtel journey and with this we bring the triple proposition of reduced rates, ease & convenience of using this service and unmatched call quality to our fellow Indians in the USA."

Available initially on pre-paid option, the payments for pre-paid recharges will be accepted through the credit card on web portal through a secure payment gateway. Airtel also offers it's customers the freedom to choose their mode of managing their personal accounts either through the internet, Airtel Call Center or through a local toll-free access number that can be accessed across the continent from any phone.

After playing a significant role in changing India's telecom landscape, Bharti Airtel's foray into the US market is a major step in the company's plans to extend its services.