Net4 India, a part of UK-based Sawhney group of companies, is planning to invest Rs 25 crore in the next two years, expanding its internet service operations in the country. "We plan to launch internet service in Delhi by September and would expand to two more cities before making a foray into metros focusing the growing small and medium enterprises (SME) market potential of the country," managing director Jasjit Sawhney told PTI on Monday. The company targetting SME expects more than 5,000 customers by the first quarter of year 2000, he added. The company had already obtained ISP licence from DoT to operate from cities (B-class) and was awaiting a final clearance regarding leased lines and other formalities from DoT and MTNL.

Hutchinson Max coding tech

Hutchinson Max Telecom has introduced the enhanced full rate, the latest in coding technology. The new facility provides superior speech quality especially in the higher pitch range and reducesbackground noise. EFR is a coding algorithm that facilitates the conversion of analogues speech into a digital data stream that can be modulated for transmission over a narrow band channel.

IT&T to set up national call centres

IT&T plans to set up national call centres for providing net related services at an estimated investment of Rs 4 crore. The Delhi-based company which at present provides a three-pronged back-up of facilities management, networking and systems integration with Microsoft technology is also holding talks with infotech majors like Oracle Corportion and computer associates for procuring the basic software for the proposed call centres. "Talks are on with both the multinationals and the tie-up is expected to be finalised within the next two weeks," managing director Karan Puri said on Monday. A call centre is a toll-free telephone service to handle queries and information of customers and client services of big corporates.

Essar expands roaming facility

Essar Cellphonehas expanded its international and national roaming service having signed roaming agreements with 90 international and 24 national cellular networks. According to Essar Cellphone CEO Nalin Tikkoo, Essar is set to become the country's largest roaming service provider. The roaming facility will not only take care of all the communication needs of Essar subscribers but at the same time also earn foreign exchange for the country, Tikkoo said.