Tata Tele goes online to market post-paids
Business Standard — January 16, 2007

Tata Teleservices (TTSL) is expecting to sell 10,000 to 15,000 post-paid connections per month through its online retail store, i-choose that was launched here today. Separately, the CDMA-based telephony service provider is also planning to increase the number of its branded outlets to 3,000 in next two months. Launching i-choose, TTSL CEO Darryl Green said, "This provides customers with the convenience of online shopping, while the company deliver the phones to the address provided by the subscriber."

The delivery would be free-of-cost, while handsets would be activated after document and other necessary verifications. The service is accessible from over 400 cities in the country, while the online store can be accessed at www.ichoose.com. TTSL expects an increase in sales of post-paid connections by around 10,000-15,000 from this initiative. At present, the CDMA operator is selling over 1 million connections per month in the country. Commenting on the physical outlets of the company - 'True Value' - Green said that the numbers would be increased to 3,000 in the next two months from the present 2,500 outlets.

The Tata group company is also close to launching a point of sales (POS) solution that would enable mobile salesperson and other sell wares accepting cash through credit cards. When asked about the company's discussions with UK-based Virgin Mobile, he said, "Many people are talking to us. However, at this point of time we cannot comment on anything". According to media reports, Virgin Mobile was planning to launch its brand in India and was believed to be in talks with TTSL. Virgin Mobile products would be launched by April, it said.