Escotel on Tuesday announced the launch of a pre-paid card `Let's Talk' for visitors from the Gulf to Kerala. Escotel, in an attempt to provide the service of effective communications while on visit to Kerala, has made it possible for these customers to buy pre-paid connections in the Gulf itself. The cards are available in two denominations, Rs 4,750 with a talktime of Rs 4,000 (valid for 10 months) and Rs 2,750 with a talktime of Rs 2,000 (with a validity of four months). Both the cards will have STD/ISD facility. The product will be available in UAE and Oman.

Hutchison Max's roaming service

Hutchison Max Telecom Ltd, the Mumbai cellular operator, has successfully tested automatic roaming with a leading US cellular operator, Omnipoint. The Max Touch auto roam subscribers would be accessible on their Mumbai number in 15 cities in the US including New York, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Miami. With roaming services in 30 countries, the companyhas decided to waive the initial one-time fee of Rs 2,000 for auto roaming and the cost of this service would now just include a deposit of Rs 5,000 towards STD/ISD calls made from the cellular phone and a monthly charge of Rs 500.

Mobile phone service launched in Sikkim

With the launching of mobile phone services in Gangtok on Tuesday, Sikkim became the second state in the North-East to have this facility after Assam. Gangtok also became the third town in the region after Guwahati and Silchar to have cellular phone service.

Oracle Communications Solutions 3i

Oracle Corporation has announced details of three new e-business solutions collectively named Oracle Communications Solutions 3i at CommunicAsia '99. It is among the first to integrate telecom and internet technologies to address the specialised needs of communications companies in the fast-deregulating Asia-Pacific market. The applications will strengthen Oracle's core internet and e-commerce business.