Mumbai: Chennai-based Deltagram has launched Deltafax, a satellite-based fax that will enable users to send faxes to anywhere in the country, at a flat rate of Rs 15 per page. Deltafax service can be availed by purchasing pre-paid cards or through membership schemes. The pre-paid cards will be available at all leading outlets and the company's call centres. The membership scheme allows the user to send any number of messages at a subsidised rate of Rs 10 per page. To become a member of the partnership scheme, the customer has to pay an entry fee of Rs 2,000.The company is investing about Rs 300 crore over the next three years to establish the network across the country. A part of the fund (about Rs 150 crore) will come from its franchise partners. Deltagram, which has already pumped Rs 25 crore, is also planning to launch fax services abroad in the second round of expansion. "We are aiming customers from different segments of the population for the Deltafax service. Since we offer a cost effective service, the users will be able to cut its expenditure," Delta Innovative Enterprises Ltd managing director R Kothandaraman told reporters.
The company is planning to raise about Rs 22-30 crore as long term debt from the financial institutions. Deltagram has already received funds to the tune of Rs 5.7 crore from the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI). The equity portion of the existing investment is about Rs 9.2 crore. "Domestic FIs have also invested in the equity of the company," he added. Deltagram is also planning to launch a host of new services in the coming months.
The company is likely to acquire some space in a new transponder as part of its expansion plans. An initial public offering (IPO) is also in the offing at a later stage, Kothandaraman said here on Thursday.
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