Submitted by Mike Grenville on Wed, 17 Sep 2003 12:28

3 has launched Britain's first international video calling service to Italy, Sweden, Austria, Australia and Japan.

This extends the service internationally across the countries where 3 is offering video mobile services. Calls to and from Japan are now also possible thanks to an agreement with NTT DoCoMo, a world-leading mobile communications company and a 20% shareholder in 3 UK. The new service will start on 1st October 2003 and will also enable 64 Kbps data transmissions to and from DoCoMo users in Japan.

3 customers abroad will also be able to make video calls back to the UK when they are in 3 video mobile coverage area. All customers video calling from the UK will pay a flat fee of £1.50 per minute to make an international video call, and £2.00 per minute to make a video call when roaming overseas.

Gareth Jones, Chief Operating Officer, 3 UK said "International video calling is here. What seemed like science fiction only a few years ago is now within the reach of everyone in the UK. Making a video call is as easy as making a normal phone call from your mobile, but they have much more impact, as you see the person you’re speaking to. You'll never forget making your first international video call, even if it's just to see what the weather is like in Rome.

"As a means of keeping in touch, international video calling allows you to see how friends and family abroad are doing. Or it maybe that you have work contacts that you've never met, an international video call will allow you to meet them for the first time. It is very exciting for us to launch this service, as we know how much fun our customers can have with this service. Seeing, really is believing."

3 customers will soon be able to make international video call to other countries, including Hong Kong, Denmark and Israel.