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Cellular launch services in A&N by March '06: Hutch
Hutch to launch mobile phone services in the Andaman and Nicobar by March, 2006 and aimi to double the customer base in the WB.
Hutch would launch mobile phone services in the Andaman and Nicobar by March, 2006 while aiming to double the customer base in the Bengal circle in the next one year.
"We will be launching our cellular services in Andaman and Nicobar within the next few months, ie. By the end of the current financial year," Sridhar Rao, CEO, Hutchison Telecom East Limited, told reporters on Wednesday.
Speaking at the launch of the 'Chota Recharge-Puri Baat' coupon, he said the company expected to emulate its success story in the Bengal circle in the islands.
Hutch would be the third operator after BSNL and Airtel to launch its cellular services in the islands.
Sridhar said the company, which had a leadership position in Kolkata and the rest of the Bengal with a total customer base of 9.5 lakh, expected to double it in the next one year following the launch of innovative products.
"Currently we are present in 222 towns in West Bengal. Our plan is to cover 700 towns by the end of 2006," company vice-president (sales and marketing) S Murali said.
On the new launch, he said the introduction of the 'chota recharge' coupon starting from Rs 10 with no access fee, would make mobility more affordable and widen the customer base.
"It is likely to hit the revenue initially, but the growth in numbers will make up for that in the next 3-6 months," he said.
The 'chota recharge' coupon, a variant of the 'top-up' card, ranges from Rs 10-198 and offers full talktime if the customer opts to recharge the pre-paid account within the validity period.
