A major use of ISDN will be for video-conferencing and the companies in this sector expect nearly 40 per cent rise the business with MTNL removing the entry fee of Rs 5,000. At present, the users need to pay for what they use instead of the earlier fixed amount. It is a matter of time before households and individual users take up ISDN connections for their internet and related uses.

But many do not know how to obtain basic information about ISDN and any assistance in case the line falters. With the ISDN segment poised for an exciting growth, this has become a major impediment. This is precisely why Ketan Sanghvi of WanLand Datacom and his friends come together to form and ISDNUsers Club. The club was initially an e-mail bulletin board where users put up their queries or get their issues redressed from others including the representatives of service providers such DoT, VSNL and MTNL.

"We have at present around 25 members who have been the forum to the most effective use," Ketan Sanghvi said. Any new subscriber can log on to ISDN-India-Announce-Subscribe@egroups.com and enter his details. The club meets virtually and discusses his credentials before admitting him.