Date:22/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/22/stories/2007072250780200.htm

Other States - Orissa

One device, many uses

Staff Reporter

‘Parsec’ provides a new hot key experience

Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

Smart phone: Parsec at its launch in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. —

BHUBANESWAR: Private telecom service provider Tata Tele Services Limited on Saturday launched Parsec, a telecom device, which would enable consumers to check movie reviews, keep track of cricket scores, recharge their pre-paid phones and even purchase airline ticket, at PCO booths in Orissa.

While consumers would gain from the wide variety of services, Parsec would also benefit retailers, said Tata Indicom executives.

With an initial investment of Rs. 9,000, shop-owners would be able to provide a variety of services that they did not physically stock or sell, they said.

Addressing a press conference, Ajay Shrivastav, Circle Operating Officer, Tata Tele Services, Orissa Circle, said: “Parsec will bring conveniences and benefits to a large section of consumers in providing better services in time-consuming matters like rail and airline ticketing, apart from providing new hot key experience.”

He claimed that the technology would redefine the PCO segment in the country as the company was planning to roll out more than 1,50,000 ‘Parsec’ outlets across the country in the current financial year itself.

Parsec allowed banks a viable alternative to setting up its own point of sale terminals for swiping credit cards, he said.