Over 25,000 Seychellois to benefit from Airtel mobile rate cuts |23 December 2005

Some of the new rates take effect as of this evening and others as of December 26, 2005 and January 3, 2006.
 
This announcement follows a courtesy visit to the President’s Office by Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Group Managing Director of Bharti Enterprises, early in December. 
During the visit, President James Michel requested further rate reductions to make mobile usage more affordable to the people of Seychelles. 

Airtel CEO, Mr Vinod Sud, has announced that Airtel would be reducing the Prepaid all-inclusive Peak Rate of SR3.99 to SR2.99.  This will take effect as of December 26.

According to the company, Airtel Prepaid has proven to be the most popular choice among the youth and currently leads the market in Seychelles in Prepaid services.  Airtel Prepaid, it said, has formed a brand presence that emits variety and innovation. Popularity soared after the introduction of regularly updated Fun Services, which include Ring tones, Picture Messages and Logos and the affordable mobile Chat Rooms, similar to Internet Chat Rooms, whereby local subscribers can chat with up to 15 people at the same time for as little as 25 cents per message.

Mr Sud also announced that all individual Postpaid “Just for You” customers can also look forward to a 20% reduction in the peak call rate, from SR1.50 to SR1.20 per minute.  The new Postpaid rate will take effect on January 3, 2006.

To make International calls more affordable to those calling abroad during this Festive Season, Airtel is also extending the reduced SR5.00 weekend rate to include weekdays until January 3, 2006.  Therefore, Airtel customers can call any destination from any Airtel line at any time of the night or day for only SR5.00 per minute (excluding GST).  This rate will be effective from 7.00 p.m. from this evening until 7.00 a.m. on January 4, 2006.

Telecom Seychelles Limited, which has been providing mobile and basic telephone services in Seychelles for the last 7 years, said the new 3G and GPRS network in which it would be investing SR44 million, would add a new dimension to the services provided to all Postpaid and Prepaid customers and roamers from all over the world.  Besides the upgrade Airtel is adding new Base Stations to expand its coverage to more islands and improve coverage on the main islands.

Mr Mittal, described this move as a "major landmark for us and underlines our commitment to provide the latest technology and world-class services to our customers. It also highlights that when it comes to technology, we are up there with the best in the world." 
  
Airtel said it has over the years continuously led the market in Seychelles with rate reductions, new products and services. It has played a crucial role in making mobile and PSTN services more affordable to customers in Seychelles and was the first to introduce Prepaid Services, SMS, FUN services, 24-hour customer service.  

Telecom Seychelles is promoted by Bharti Global Ltd and Emtel, the premier GSM operator in Mauritius.