Telecom Malaysia International Bangladesh. (TMIB), the second largest cellphone operator in the country, yesterday announced launching of international roaming service for its subscribers.

TMIB, which provides services under the brand ’AKTEL' will be the country’s second operator to provide its customers with mobile phone connectivity while travelling abroad.

The service titled AKTEL International Roaming Services (AIRS) has accessibility to some 315 operators in more than 170 countries.

"Today AIRS has the widest international roaming network in Bangladesh," Vijay Watson, chief operating officer of TMIB told reporters at a press conference in Dhaka.

To avail AIRS, customers will have to apply with required documents and fees to any of the AKTEL customer care centres. The security deposit for international roaming facilities isTk 20,000 for local inhabitants, Tk 15,000 for corporate di-

en ts and Tk 50,000 for foreigners.

All who seek this roaming facility must have valid international credit card.The charge will be payable only in US dollars.

The tariffs for dialled and received calls while in roaming will be determined by the network operator, said lose Ravi, general manager (Marketing) of TMIB.

Watson said AKTEL is committed to provide customers with the best possible mobile phone services across the country and AIRS is one of the many new initiatives to fulfil this commitment.

He said AKTEL has also recently invested significantly to upgrade its systems with the latest technologies to become the leader in telecommunications.

It has migrated from its pre-paid network platform to 'intelligent network’ and more innovative products will be offered in the coming months, he added.

TMIB Director (Co-ordination) Fazlur Rahman and Assistant General Manager (Marketing) Sania Mahmood, among others, also spoke on the occasion.