The service - HouseCall Online Virus Scanning - will be available to all MantraOnline customers on demand and free of charge, by clicking on the icon on the company's home page - www.mantraonline.com. Housecall allows users to activate the service anytime to give their personal computers an anti-virus check-up.

MantraOnline is also set to introduce Virus-free E-mail service and PC-Cillin in an effort to extend security measures to users' e-mail and desktops.

The Virus-free E-mail service automatically scans all e-mail messages and attachments passing through the MantraOnline servers for viruses. Viruses found in the attachment will be immediately cleaned or quarantined on the server.

Addressing a press conference here, Trend Micro director Frank Leu said that MantraOnline customers will have access to the up-dated versions of Housecall. The scanning service is updated everytime a new virus is detected and an antidote is developed. "Housecall will act as e-doctor for the PC," Leu said. Everytime the scanning service detects a virus, the programme will automatically clean the file or prompt an action line to the user. Files which cannot be cleaned can be erased by simply clicking the delete button. The advantage of Housecall is that unlike traditional anti-virus software, it does not require any installation or programme configuration.

Under the agreement, MantraOnline in association with Trend Micro's local representative APCL will provide online support to all subscribers. Bharti BT will provide general problems faced by MantraOnline subscribers while APCL will provide the technical back-up.

Flexible tariff plan

MantraOnline on hursday announced a new flexible tariff plan for its subscribers which will enable them to double their internet hours while accessing the service during off-peak time at no extra cost.

Thus, if a subscriber buys a 150-hour option for Rs 3,190, then he can double his internet hours to 300 hours for the same price if he uses the service between 10 pm and 8 am only.

Unlike, the surf-by-night scheme offered by the company, the new tariff plan does not restrict the subscriber to access the service during off-peak hours. Under the new scheme, a subscriber can use a combination of peak-time and off-peak surfing. For every hour of off-peak surfing, the subscriber would be entitled to another hour free.

MantraOnline further announced a new package of 225 hours to supplement the existing options of 25 hours, 75 hours, 150 hours, 300 hours and 500 hours.