MUMBAI: Hutch today launched its services in Punjab with the latest range of multimedia mobile services, including GPRS-based services like push2talk, mobile gaming, click and print MMS, and state-wide customer service support.

Hutchison Essar, managing director, Asim Ghosh, announced the it in Chandigarh, today.

"The people of Punjab are used to the latest and best in every category. Punjab also has the highest mobile penetration amongst the states. We have committed to investments worth Rs 460 crores (RS 4.6 billion) for the Punjab circle, to build the most advanced GSM network in the country and offer not just basic mobile service but the widest range of multimedia mobile services as well," offered Ghosh, as quoted in an official release.

"We want to provide the latest range of multimedia mobile content to our users - whether its for keeping in touch with others for information or entertainment. Multimedia applications such as push2talk, click and print MMS and MS Outlook on mobile phones are some of the unique services available only to Hutch users," claimed Hutchison Essar executive director Rajiv Sawhney.

"This follows our service philosophy about delivering performance and making the experience enjoyable at the same time for all those who come into contact with it. The Hutch brand is not just a logo or only a telecom brand - it is a service philosophy and represents our unique way of doing business," Sawhney added.

He further elucidated, "We have led the development and adoption of GPRS-based multimedia services in India. With over 2,00,000 GPRS users, we have over 50 per cent of the GPRS subscriber base in the country. Despite the high mobile penetration, mobile users in Punjab have yet to experience many of these services. I am confident that our multimedia service offerings will hold special appeal for the trend-setting people of Punjab."

Commenting on Hutch's statewide presence, Hutch Punjab, chief operating officer Arun K Kapoor said, "People in Punjab travel extensively within the state. Keeping this in mind, we have focussed on seamless connectivity across state and national highways, railway routes and commercial centres. The Hutch network is already present across 64 towns and cities, which are home to over 85 per cent of the current cellular subscriber base in Punjab."

Speaking about the special services for Hutch users, Arun K Kapoor said, "Hutch users in Punjab will get a chance to choose their own mobile number. They will also get an enhanced 32 K Sim card which allows for a 250 number phone book. In addition to this, the entire Hutch range of innovative value added services - special applications such as push2talk, Java-based mobile gaming, 'live' video clips and click and print MMS, the VOX voice response service that provides cricket updates, ring tones, jokes, stock information and news with voice commands, Microsoft Outlook on Hutch mobile phones, Hutch Alive cell-broadcast service, group messaging and missed call alerts will also be available. Hutch users will also enjoy the benefit of the widest two-way international roaming coverage and 24-hour customer care through a dedicated customer service helpline."

Hutchison Essar has licenses for 13 circles in India - Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Haryana, UP (E), UP (W), Punjab and West Bengal and Sikkim and has a combined subscriber base of 5.8 million cellular subscribers, adds the release.