The tool, according to a press release from the ISP, is compatible with both ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), reckoned superior to other messenger services offered in India by other ISPs.

DishnetDSL's vice-president for business development Mohan B Rao says the Dishnet-Odigo Messenger will provide the Dishnet user community with one of the most advanced messaging and navigation applications in the market now for free.

Users will be able to send instant messages, voice chat, post notes, initiate chat, and spot fellow Dishnet Odigo Messenger users wherever and whenever they are online.

According to Odigo vice-president for strategic development Avner Ronen, Odigo has always been a "strong proponent of interoperability". Providing full interoperability in messages and voice chat with friends and fellow surfers, he says, is a natural extension of the aim to provide the functionality that Internet users and Odigo partners demand.

By providing interoperability with AIM and ICQ, Dishnet Odigo will effectively provide users with the largest possible audience to seek, meet and greet fellow surfers on the Internet. The Dishnet Odigo messenger is also said to be the first one to connect the two largest instant messengers -ICQ and AIM- both owned by AOL, enabling users of ICQ and AIM to chat.Also users of DishnetDSL users will be able to communicate with the general Odigo population.

DishnetDSL will be able to use its Odigo messenger in a similar fashion, sending real-time messages, announcements, and specialised content to their users no matter where they are online.

Dishnet Odigo Messenger 2.5 will be available for download, free of charge, at www.ddsl.net beginning July 1, 2000.