Hutch users can now SMS in 9 languages on Nokia

Mumbai, Nov 14, 2006: Hutch and Nokia today announced an alliance to offer "� INDISMS - Local Language SMS service for Hutch customers who use Nokia phones. This service will enable Hutch post- & pre paid customers to send and receive SMS in Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil and Telugu, on their Nokia phones.

Speaking on the launch, Naveen Chopra, Chief Marketing Officer, Hutchison Essar Ltd. said, "We are extremely happy to introduce this unique service for our customers. We believe that communicating in one's mother tongue is much convenient and lot of fun as it enables a person to be more expressive."

Devinder Kishore, Director Marketing, Nokia India, said, "At Nokia, we are committed to connecting people. The launch of INDISMS with Hutch is a key step to connect with the diverse Indian audience and further enhance the Nokia users' experience by allowing them to communicate in their native languages. Currently over 30 Nokia phones are equipped to support 9 Indian languages using this application. Going forward, our endeavour will be to expand this service to an even wider range of our phones."

For the first time Hutch customers who use Nokia phones, will be able to send and receive SMSs in their local language. The customers can get this application by sending INDISMS as an SMS to 123 and downloading through the WAP link. The customer can also download the application by logging on to PlanetHutch and clicking on the INDISMS link. The application itself is free of cost, though the customer will be charged Re 1 and Paisa 60 only for downloading the 'INDISMS' application (regular GPRS charges of 10p/10 kb).

Hutch currently offers INDISMS service on more than 30 Nokia phones including 6600, 7650, 6681, 6680, 3230, 6630, 6260, Ngage-QD, 7610, 3650, 3660, N70, N72, 6670, 6021, 6020, 3220, 6030, 2610, 6230, 6230i, 7260, 6170, 6080, 6103, 6070, 6125, 6101, 7360, 6111, 6060, 6170, 7270, 6233, 6270, 6280, 6131, 7370.

About Hutchison Essar Limited

Hutchison Essar with over 21 million* mobile users under the Hutch brand, is one of the most reputed telecom companies in India. Over the years, it has been named the 'Most Respected Telecom Company', the 'Best Mobile Service in the country', and the 'Most Creative and Most Effective Advertiser of the Year'.

Hutch offers a wide range of user-friendly services that makes a customers life simple and fulfill all his entertainment and information requirements. Hutch has been a pioneer in India to provide innovative services like video clips on a 2.5 G network, Mobile Banking, MSN Hotmail and Messenger on Hutch phones, Java Games, HutchMail, a Voice recognition portal and many more such initiatives.

About Nokia:

Nokia is a world leader in mobile telecommunications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations www.nokia.com