VSNL slashes Net tariffs

BANGALORE: Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) has slashed its Internet access rates by 50 per cent under its new monsoon package scheme, which is open between June 1 and July 31. This monsoon package is applicable for both TCP/IP dial-up as well as for ISDN accounts.

VSNL has also announced the introduction of a free night access scheme, where customers will now be able to access the Internet free during 11.00 P.M. in the night till 8.00 A.M. in morning on all working days and for full days on Sundays. All customers registering for VSNL's Internet services during the special offer period will be able to avail of 50 per cent discount and the free night access for the duration of the VSNL account, which is three years. Existing customers too can get the new package through advanced renewal, said VSNL director operations Amitabh Kumar.

The company has offered benefits to the existing customers through advanced renewal facility during the offer period. Upon renewal, their existing hours in the account will be doubled and would be added to the new plan subscribed. The company also announced launch of its credit card gateway in cooperation with Easy Netcom and Evi Company. Other services include access to Internet services through wireless access protocol gateway (WAP) enabled cellular mobile phones, said the VSNL officials. With VSNL's WAP gateway, customers with a WAP cellular phone will be able to access their e-mail or obtain other information online with their personal Internet accounts. VSNL also launched its `Crackblok facility' which is a security feature for customers to enable access only from specified telephone numbers. This would prevent fraudulent use of accounts as well as provide more security for new applications like e banking, share trading and online access to key official Web sites, Mr Kumar said.