Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications (RCom) today announced the launch of SMS-based voice conference calls, which would be an extension to its handset independent mobile conferencing service Group Talk.

The group-oriented service would be made available to all Reliance Mobile GSM and CDMA subscribers through the 'SMS based Mobile Conferencing' solution provided by US-based Kodiak Networks, a press release issued here stated.

"Our mobile conferencing service is a cost-effective, efficient and convenient solution that enhances productivity of small-and-medium-enterprise customers. Introducing the service on SMS, which has become the preferred mode of communication for youth and young executives today, will lead to popularisation of conferencing," RCom's Head-VAS, Anil Pande said.

The Group Talk service launched early last year, was available only on handsets with Java, Brew, Symbian operating systems and on Blackberry handsets.

"The enhanced service launched offers mobile centric conferencing facility from any handset. The new service will help all Reliance customers to stay connected in a more convenient way with families, friends and communities," Pande said.

RCom customers could establish a conference call amongst a group of nine contacts with a single SMS, the release said.

The service subscription would be offered at Rs 40 per month.

"Our solution is designed to simultaneously support GSM, CDMA and upcoming 3G networks and is a proven solution for productivity enhancement for enterprises and revenue enhancement for RCom. Introduction of clientless solution will enable Reliance to extend this useful service to all customers across India and thereby increase the adoption," Kodiak Networks' Executive Vice-President and CTO, Kris Patel, said.