Orange launches VoiceXpress; US, Canada calls at Rs 5.95

MUMBAI: Orange, a cellular service in Mumbai, has launched VoiceXpress, a

voice messaging service that allows users to send voice messages to any phone in

the United States or Canada (cellular as well as fixed lines), by dialing 12425,

at a cost of Rs 5.95 per minute. The VoiceXpress service also allows users to

send voice messages to Celforce (in Gujarat), Essar (in Delhi) and Command (in

Kolkata) subscribers, by dialing 12424, at a cost of Rs 2.95 per minute. The

VoiceXpress service, developed in collaboration with TeliVoice, the global voice

messaging service, is available to both contract and pre-paid Orange users and

does not require an STD/ISD connection.

The VoiceXpress service costs a fraction of the cost of an international

phone call to the United States, which would otherwise cost Rs 48 per minute on

peak time and Rs 42 for non-peak time. Messages can also be replied to and are

delivered back as a return voice message. Additional features include recording

the sender's name, storing important messages and choice of listening to the

voice instructions in English, Hindi or a regional language, as required.

Commenting on the launch of the new VoiceXpress service, Hutchison Max

Telecom vice president, Corporate Marketing, Sanjeev Vohra said, "VoiceXpress

combines the benefits of SMS, along with the impact and emotion that voice

allows. Many a times a voice message is preferable to interrupting or speaking

live with the recipient. VoiceXpress fulfills this particular need."