Europe : Jersey Airtel, a subsidiary of the Bharti Group, announced the launch of its mobile services on the Island. The Company will offer market-leading products and services under the Airtel-Vodafone brand to customers on the Island, over its full 2G, 3G and HSDPA enhanced network. To celebrate the launch, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman & Group CEO, Bharti was in Jersey today to serve the first customer at the Airtel-Vodafone shop, centrally located in Queen Street, St Helier.

During his visit, Mr. Mittal also met representatives from the political and business sectors. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal said, 'This is a special day for all of us at Bharti and we are delighted at the launch of our services in Jersey. We are committed to bringing world-class services to customers and adding value to communities and businesses on the Island.' Airtel-Vodafone has launched a range of innovative new products and services and highly competitive price plans offering the Jersey customer real value and choice.

The new services include Voice Mail services which allow voice mail messages to be accessed through a customer's email; a Missed Call Alert service letting customers know who called even when the phone is switched off; an E-Bill service which gives up to date billing information and a new phone to phone method of topping up for pre-paid customers. Additionally the HSDPA capability provides even faster data speeds. Together with these services Airtel-Vodafone has launched with simple and easy to understand price plans which will re-shape boundaries and break barriers. Calls to key EU and other destinations (e.g. Australia and South Africa) are priced the same as Jersey land line prices. Contract bundles include minutes to all Jersey mobiles and fixed lines, to UK and Guernsey fixed lines, plus an inclusive bundle to UK and Guernsey mobiles. Customers are also being offered significant discounts if they choose to keep their existing handset, thus offering real choice.

Two plans have been launched for pre-paid customers, offering flat rates across all networks in Jersey and another rate to all networks across the EU including UK. Mr. David Watson, Chief Executive of Jersey Airtel added, 'We are confident that our customers will be celebrating with us when they experience first-hand the best in global mobile telecommunications. There will be important benefits for both the Jersey consumer and business customers, enabling them to live their lives and do business to the fullest whenever and wherever they are.'