The Hindu Business Line : BSNL goodies for mobile users

IN an aggressive move aimed at attracting more subscribers even as it encourages customer loyalty, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has announced free talk-time valued between Rs 150 and Rs 75 per month for all its post-paid mobile users who stick on to their connection for six months.

In addition, the company has also reduced the rate of SMS for its post-paid mobile subscribers to 40 paise from 60 paise per message.

Addressing his first press conference after assuming office, Mr V.P. Sinha, Chairman and Managing Director, BSNL, noted that the incentives would be effective from February 1.

While Plan 325 subscribers of CellOne who complete six months will get free talk time of Rs 75 per month, subscribers under Plan 525 can enjoy free talk time of Rs 150 per month. The existing 15-second pulse rate for both plans will continue to remain.

Mr Sinha also announced the availability of international roaming for its mobile subscribers across the country. Both post- and pre-paid customers can enjoy voice, fax, and data services including SMS text messaging in over 164 countries.

Inbound roamers from over 275 networks worldwide will also be able to seamlessly access the same services using BSNL's vast network, he noted.

He further stated that two new recharge coupons of different denominations would be introduced from February 15. They are of Rs 70 — with a talk time of Rs 38, validity of one week and grace period of three days — and denomination of Rs 150 — with talk time of Rs 85, validity of 15 days and grace period of 5 days.

The grace period is the time given for subscribers to recharge their prepaid cards.

As regards its CDMA mobile services, Mr Sinha noted that from March 1 the rental will be the same as urban tariffs for its fixed line services, i.e. Rs 120, Rs 180 and Rs 250 per month depending upon exchange system capacity. Unit call rate (three minutes), which is Rs 1.20 at present, will be lowered to Re 1 up to 300 units and fifty free calls will be allowed.

With these concessions, the customer is expected to gain approximately Rs 190 per month.

As a promotional scheme, installation charges for basic telephone are waived for two months starting February 1.

Leased line tariffs have also been simplified. Leased circuit (main) which is being charged from long distance charging area (LDCA) will now be charged from the short distance charging area (SDCA), which will benefit customers specially media and corporate from five per cent to 20 per cent in annual charges.

This will be effective from February 1 for new customers and from the new billing cycle for existing customers, he said.