VOICE-MAIL COMES TO GOA, GLOBAL MESSAGES VIA PHONE FOR CHEAP

By Frederick Noronha

PANJIM: Want to "post" your "voice" to a friend or relative in
some distant part of the globe? This is now possible, with a new
service that has become functional in Goa too, called VoiceMail.

In brief, how this service works is that it allows you to convey
telephonic messages to distant cities, via the phone, at the cost
of Rs 5 to Rs 8 for one-and-half minute messages. Messages within
India cost Rs 5, while those abroad cost Rs 8.

Navinmail, a new service set up in Mumbai, has already started
trial services. Thees are available in Goa too on telephone
numbers 420 958, 421 025, 421 886 and 421 887.

Before you can send across your "voice-mail", you need to take a
"subscription" to this service. To encourage people to try it
out, the firm is offering free Rs 100 worth of trial cards.

On dialling these numbers, you get the instructions on how to go
about passing on the messages. You have to 'respond' by using the
dial-pad of the telephone, and using the # (hash) symbol to enter
each particular 'command'.

You can choose to receive instructions in English, Hindi or
Marathi. Each user is given a personal identification number
(PIN). This code number allows you to collect and receive voice-
mail messages that might have been sent and which are awaiting
you.

You can send messages to others registered on this system, in
cities where it is functioning. It is normally delivered in a
couple of hours.

All these messages are sent at the cost of a local call.

Other charges -- Rs 5 to 8 per message -- are paid by the person
receiving the call. In other words, this offers a cheaper option
to send messages to distant cities, at a relatively low-cost.

One disadvantage however is that the voice-mail system does not
allow for two-way speech. You can only 'send' a voice message,
and keep it pending for the person you want to receive it. But it
is useful for people on the move, who can pick up their messages
at any time.

Further details can be had from Mumbai phone number 022.4440199
or via email from indiacsg@navin.com  (ENDS)