NEW DELHI: Tata Teleservices Ltd., a national private basic services
operator, has launched its new payphone-on-wheels booth services, called 'Smart
Cart’. This is aimed at improving the accessibility of payphones to customers
at 'an arm reach'.
The 'Smart Cart' facilitates the operator to move around a certain
geographical region and offer payphone services to customers through improved
accessibility. Customers will receive a bill for every local, STD and ISD calls
made from the 'Smart Cart'. Each 'Smart Cart' is likely to earn revenues of
approximately Rs 300 per day. TATA Teleservices plans to introduce 100 Smart
Carts in the next fiscal year.
The Smart Cart is powered by a fixed wireless unit and uses Smart Card
enabled technology. Customers will be charged existing payphone tariffs and
assured of accurate and tamper-proof billing. Initially, these carts will be
located at tourist spots like Necklace Road and the NTR Gardens and gradually
their presence will be increased.
Speaking on the occasion, Tata Teleservices Ltd. chief operating officer,
Ajay Pandey said, "This unique value-added service will offer new
opportunities for employment and increase our coverage of payphone business. The
concept will be extended to other towns in the State in a phased manner."