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New Web-Based Calling Service Offers High Quality and Competitive Rates
to US Residents from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
New York-- August 16, 2007 VSNL (NYSE: VSL), a leading communications solutions
provider, announced today the launch of trueroots™, an International Calling Service
that allows people from South Asia residing in the United States to reliably,
securely and economically reach out and connect with their family and friends.
The launch is being celebrated at an exclusive New York City community event taking
place today at the Pierre Hotel, where more than 150 South Asian community leaders,
influential business executives and media, will be addressed by senior executives
from the Tata Group and VSNL and entertained by a musical performance from international
composer and artist Karsh Kale.
Officially available in the US beginning August 21st, the new trueroots™ International
Calling Service offers superior voice quality and easy to access connectivity
across the globe, without hidden fees or extra charges and without the need for
a physical calling card, which can often be lost or stolen and subject to fraudulent
use. Trueroots™ provides highly competitive rates to South Asian countries including
India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka supported by a 24/7 customer service
organization. Calls are carried on VSNL's extensive global fiber optic network,
one of the world's largest global submarine cable infrastructures, providing unsurpassed
quality and capacity and ensuring clear and error free connectivity.
"As a truly international company, VSNL understands the need to stay true to
your roots and keep in touch with the people in your life that mean the most -
family and friends," said Sandeep Mathur, Head of Corporate Affairs for VSNL.
"Our goal was to create an international calling service that is truly unique
in the industry, delivering on the promises of crystal clear quality, uninterrupted
calling and cost effective connectivity without hidden fees."
Mathur continued, "As a member of the Tata Group, one of India's largest and
most respected business conglomerates, VSNL shares the culture of strict adherence
to business ethics and a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility
and community. Built upon this philosophy, VSNL's trueroots™ calling service will
enable members of the South Asian community living in the United States to feel
confident about their international calling experience and know that they can
connect with their home countries and pay only for the minutes they use at economical
rates. We are pleased that we can support the rapidly growing US South Asian community
with a service that lives up to the quality standards they expect and deserve,
and that helps make it easier for them to stay close to their close ones across
the world."
The trueroots™ service can be purchased online through a user friendly web portal
at www.trueroots.us or by calling VSNL customer service directly, 365 days a year.
It offers advanced features including a prepaid recharge option, which allows
a calling account to be recharged. Other features include instant recognition
of calling line ID for PIN-less dialing from up to 5 registered phone numbers,
the ability to make up to three follow-on calls without having to redial the access
number, speed dial capabilities for up to 5 frequently dialed numbers, and last
number redial.
"With the goal of fostering communication and helping to unite the South Asian
community across the world, trueroots™ is a truly innovative service," said David
Good, Chief Representative, North America for the Tata Group. "The Tata family
of companies' purpose is to improve the quality of life of the communities we
serve by offering services that exemplify our five core values of integrity, understanding,
excellence, unity and responsibility. The trueroots™ International Calling Service
is representative of these values and will assist in the continued development
of the South Asian community."
As part of the service, trueroots™ account holders will soon have access to exclusive
voice services, special offers and incentive discounts through the website. One
of these services, to be released this coming fall, will offer entry to a leading
entertainment media hub, which will allow customers to gain access to premium
content such as full length movies, including Bollywood, TV series, sports coverage,
video games, music downloads, and karaoke, with much more to be added on an ongoing
basis.
As part of the US consumer launch, trueroots™ is a major sponsor of the New York
City India Day Parade on August 19th, offering a variety of entertainment including
the music of the Brooklyn Qawwali Party Band, a 14-piece jazz/world music band
inspired by recordings of the late great Sufi singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Trueroots™
is also being launched throughout the United Kingdom and Canadian markets. The
UK consumer launch was kicked off at the trueroots™ London Mela on August 12th,
a festival aimed at celebrating South Asian culture and creativity. The service
will be officially rolled out in the UK at a London community cricket event at
the Lords Media Centre on August 21st. Trueroots™ is also expected to be launched
in Toronto, Canada later this year.
For further information regarding trueroots™ International Calling Service for
the US, visit www.trueroots.us. The website portals for the UK and Canada are
www.trueroots.co.uk and www.trueroots.ca respectively.
About VSNL
Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL), a member of the US$29 billion Tata Group,
is a leading global communications company offering next-generation voice, data
and value-added services to enterprises, carriers and retail consumers. Voted
the Best Wholesale Service Provider at the World Communications Awards, 2006,
VSNL is one of the world's largest providers of wholesale international voice
services and operates one of the largest global submarine cable networks. VSNLs
customer base includes 1500 Global Carriers, 450 Mobile Operators, 10,000 Enterprises,
500,000 Broadband and Internet subscribers and 300 Wi-Fi public hotspots.
Rated amongst the Top 100 Emerging Global Challengers by the Boston Consulting
Group, VSNL has offices in over 35 countries including the United States of America,
Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and
India. VSNLs global transmission network of over 200,000 route kilometers and
its IP core with 200 points of presence, enables a range of services that include
voice, private leased circuits, IP VPN, Internet access, global Ethernet, hosting,
mobile signaling and other IP services. Our philosophy of BusinessnRich drives
us to empower our customers to achieve enhanced value in their global businesses.
VSNL (www.vsnl.com) is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock
Exchange of India, and its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are listed on the
New York Stock Exchange.
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