Airtel-New phone services with 3G launch |11 December 2006

You can also browse through the internet using your set and have a video conference with another Airtel subscriber, all of which facilities are accessible to a small percentage of phone users around the world, and only in Mauritius and South Africa in the region.

This follows the launching on Thursday of the 3G services by Airtel’s chief executive officer, Vinod Sud, after the company invested R35 million in the upgrading of its services.

The launching took place at the Wharf Hotel and Marina at Roche Caiman in the presence of Vice-President Joseph Belmont, several Cabinet Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and key personnel in the local business sector.

Technician at the ceremony told Nation that most of the colour mobile sets are 3G compatible especially if it is indicated that they are, on their surfaces, but that to access these services one needs to buy a new SIM card with a much higher memory.

Mr Sud said that the upgrading now allows for high speed downloading of data and that it took two months longer than expected, during which time subscribers have experienced interruptions, which he apologised for.

The service is at the moment available in Victoria, along the east coast and up to Beau Vallon, but Airtel said that the cover will soon be extended to cover the entire country.

Nation hopes to bring you further details of the services that were launched, soon.