Airtel has announced the launch of its virtual calling card service ‘Airtel CallHome' in Canada . The launch follows Airtel's successful entry into the UK and Singapore markets earlier this year and aims to bring 1.5 million Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and students in Canada closer to their friends and families in India. The service offers superior value to the users including unmatched call quality, extremely competitive call rates, two touch speed dialing, and a host of value added services.

Subscribers in Canda will now be able to call India at 5.9 cents per min on a toll-free access number. Using the service, the subscribers can also call other countries, as per the list available on Airtel CallHome website.

  Speaking about the launch, David Nishball, President, Enterprise Services, Bharti Airtel Ltd . said, “We are excited to launch the Airtel CallHome service in Canada after our successful foray in three international markets.  With the large NRI population, Canada is a strategic market for us and we see great potential here.  According to industry estimates, the total outgoing traffic to India from Canada is around 180 million minutes per month of which 60 million minutes is through calling cards. With our world-class service standards we hope to increase the share of virtual calling cards here and make Airtel the preferred choice for the Indian community to connect with friends and family back in India ,” he added.

Canda is the fourth country where the Airtel CallHome service is being launched. It was launched in US in end-2006 and in UK and Singapore in August and September 2008 respectively.

EASE OF USE: Customers need to log on www.airtelcallhome.com , create a personal account and the customer immediately gets a PIN to start calling. This virtual calling service is available 24X7 as per convenience of the customers. Additionally, the online account allows customers to have complete control over their usage, payment history and new promotional scheme at all times.

Unique Features

Two touch speed dial: Unlike physical calling cards where customer has to go through a cumbersome dialing process, dialing via Airtel CallHome is as simple as pressing two buttons. Customers can now register up to 10 telephone numbers for outgoing calls in Canada . Thereafter, they can configure up to 50 numbers in India that they call frequently, and store them as a short code (Easy Dial feature). Once the access number is stored as a “Speed Dial” on the handset – they simply need to press two buttons on the phone to connect with his friends and family in India , instantly and conveniently.

Value added services : Customers can also access other services such as Astro chat and Friends chat. For Astrology Chat, customers will be able to speak to an astrologer back in India at all times and get personalized consultation at just 49 cents per minute. For Friends Chat, customers will be able to make friends at just 39 cents/min.

Easy Payment Options: Available on the pre paid option only. Payment for pre paid charges will be accepted through a credit card on the web portal through a secure payment gateway. Customers will have the option to top up their calling minutes using an Indian credit card from India as well. Additionally, customers will also be able to access their personal account through toll free access numbers that can be accessed from anywhere in Canada .