Latest BSNL News

[sajiv]

BSNL extends last date

VELLORE: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has extended the last date for payment of bills dated March 7, 2009 up to March 31. Customers can pay their bills without surcharge at all BSNL online counters, a BSNL release said.

Tamil Nadu Ananth SIM cards would be available for Rs.10 only, with Rs.10 talk time from authorised franchisees of BSNL in Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts, and from their retailers. The cards would be available only up to March 30.

Customers could contact the nearest Customer Service Centre or dial 1550 for details.

Source:hindu

[sajiv]

Bill collection 'mela' tomorrow

VELLORE: In view of the annual closure for 2008-09, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited will be conducting a special bill collection mela between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday in the following places:

Telephone Revenue Accounting Unit (opp. to roundabout) in Vellore, and at telephone exchanges at Arakkonam (near market), Arni, Tiruvannamalai, Chengam, Gudiyatham and Vandavasi.

The BSNL, Vellore, in a release, has requested customers to avail themselves of the facility redress their grievances, pay their outstanding dues and get reconnection. Spot decisions would be taken and attractive discount given.

[sajiv]

BSNL launches Live Tutor services

GUNTUR: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has added a new dimension to its value added services by launching the Live Tutor Service. The facility available to Broadband users would facilitate personalised live tutoring of various subjects through the world of internet and digital medium.

Announcing the scheme in Guntur on Sunday, BSNL Chief General Manager T.N. Sudhindra Kumar said that the BSNL had tied up with Smartlinks. Registered users could log into the database of teachers and the subjects and choose any of them.

The subjects have been divided into Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary levels. The charges would vary from Rs.50 to Rs.240 and would include connection and tution fees.

The CGM was here to inaugurate the renovated Customer Service Centre at Arundelpet and to unveil value-added services, Personalised Ring Back Tones for landline users, BSNL Hungama and BSNL Live Tutoring services.

A new scheme, Call Free to Home, has been launched in which a pre-paid mobile SIM would be provided along with a new landline connection. Calls made from the mobile to the land-line are free of charge and calls made to other mobile/landline would be billed according to pre-paid general plan.

The fixed monthly charges are Rs.220.

The renovated and classy service centre has facilities for booking of all types of connections and payment of bills, landline, mobile and broadband services of any telephone exchange in the district.

The centre would also have counters for sale of mobile recharge vouchers, electronic top-up cards, call now cards etc.

Helpdesk
A helpdesk has been provided to answer various queries. The existing Customer Service Centre on the 9th lane of Arundelpet would be closed and operations would commence at the new centre from Monday.

Later, the CGM unveiled the PRBT services, providing the 42,000 landline customers in Guntur an option to replace the conventional ring tone with personalised ring tones and jingles from a vast base of 40,000 songs in six languages. Landline users in Guntur would have to dial 56700 to be guided by an Interactive Voice Response System to select the song of his/her choice.

This facility could be availed at a monthly charge of Rs.25 and song selection charge is Rs.12.

BSNL, General Manager, Guntur V. Ramesh and other BSNL officials were present.

[VelMurugan]

BSNL Offers 2 New Value Added Services


Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched 2 broadband value added services Live Video Tutoring and BSNL Hungama portal .

BSNL Live Tutoring service (with Smartlinx as franchisee) is aimed at giving a personalized Tutor service to students within India and outside through Indian tutors located anywhere in the country. This service will be available at all times, announced BSNL (planning and new services) director R K Aggarwal.

Depending on the class and type of teachers to be used, each session will will be charged from Rs. 50 to Rs. 240.

BSNL Hungama portal will offer subscribers services like audio music, video music and gaming facilities at monthly charges.

Unlimited Music Downloads service is available for Rs. 149 per month while Unlimited Game Downloads for Rs. 49 per month.

In the future, the on demand entertainment store will also include films and television programme.

As part of festival offerings, the BSNL Hungama services will be offered free of cost for the next one month.

Source : techtree

[dwarakesh]

BSNL announces digital entertainment store

BSNL, India's largest telecommunication company has introduced an entertainment broadband value added service with Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd, a provider in digital and mobile entertainment services.

According to the reports, the on-demand entertainment store's concept is created by Hungama Digital Media. This digital store will offers a host of the most popular music, videos and games with a catalogue of over 50,000 songs and 1000 videos across various genres including Bollywood, devotional, regional language content.

After subscribing to the digital store, user can access over 500 plus games and redeem loads of prizes and collect points while playing games and redeem them for lots of goodies and 'Gaming Hungama' merchandise from the 'Redemption Center' on the digital store.

There are some Interactive features that allow gamers on the on-demand entertainment store to interact with other gamers and they can also rate games as per their liking and add games as favorites that will be displayed on their profile.

According to the company, these services would be available in a rental subscription model offered at a price point of unlimited music downloads for Rs. 149 per month and unlimited game plays for Rs. 49 per month.

source:itvoir

[dwarakesh]

BSNL to open new exchange in Kancheepuram

CHENNAI: BSNL Chennai Telephones will commission a state-of-the-art OCB exchange at the Kancheepuram Collectorate on Tuesday to provide improved landline and broadband services to subscribers in the area.

The telephone numbers remain unchanged, a BSNL release said. Users can also opt for services such as ISDN and Centrex. For assistance, users can call the numbers 27238000/27239300/

27237000/27239100/

27239400.

Landlines in TV Rathinam Nagar, Origgai, Allakusikuppam, K.K. Nagar, Velingapattarai and Uthiramerur Kezh Road will be transferred to the new exchange shortly, the release said.

[VelMurugan]

BSNL, Hungama Launch Digital Entertainment Store

BSNL and Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. have tied up to launch an entertainment broadband value added service - bsnl.hungama.com .

The store offers a host of popular music, videos and games with a catalog of over 50,000 songs and 1000 videos across various genres including Bollywood, Devotional, Regional Language content and more.

Additionally, BSNL customers can also access over 500 plus games and redeem loads of prizes by subscribing to the digital store.

These services are available at price points of Unlimited Music Downloads for Rs. 149 per month and Unlimited Game Downloads for Rs. 49 per month.

Hungama will manage and update the digital store with the latest music, videos and games through key content partners including T-series, Yash Raj Films and more. This will enable BSNL subscribers to have access to their favorite entertainment content whenever they seek it. These services will be available in a rental subscription model offered at competitive price points.

BSNL consumers can collect points while playing games and redeem them for goodies and GamingHungama merchandise from the 'Redemption Center' on the digital store.

Gamers can also rate games as per their liking and add games as favorites that will be displayed on their profile. Interactive features that allow gamers on the On Demand Entertainment Store to interact with other gamers subscribing to the service will soon be added.


source : tech2

[sajiv]

BSNL Introduces entertainment broadband VAS with Hungama

Mumbai, BSNL today introduced an entertainment broadband Value Added Service (VAS) with Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

The On Demand Entertainment Store is the first of its kind service, which has been conceptualised and created by Hungama Digital Media. This digital store offered a host of the most popular music, videos and games with a catalogue of over 50,000 songs and 1,000 videos across various genres including Bollywood, Devotional and Regional Language content. Additionally, BSNL customers can also access over 500 plus games and redeem loads of prizes by subscribing to the digital store, according to a release here.

Hungama Digital Media is South Asia's largest digital and mobile entertainment company. They will manage and update the digital store with the latest music, videos and games through key content partners including T-series, Yash Raj Films and many more. This will enable BSNL subscribers to have access to their favourite entertainment content whenever they seek it.

These unique and superior quality services will be available in a rental subscription model offered at an extremely competitive price point of Unlimited Music Downloads for Rs 149 per month and Unlimited Game plays for Rs 49 per month, the release said.

Categories : Cinema / Showbiz

[sajiv]

Involve BSNL workers in wage settlement talks

Tuticorin: The members of BSNL Workers' Alliance staged a dharna in front of its office on Tuesday pressing a charter of demands including the pay advance of Rs. 1 lakh for a period of 28 months based on pay revision effective from 1.1.2007.

The management of BSNL must hold talks with all registered unions on wage revision, stoppage of Initial Public Offering (IPO) and Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), implementation of promotion policy for non executives on a par with executives of BSNL, reservation for SC / ST employees in the promotion policy and facilities of government pension with no amendments were some of their other demands.

S. Balasubramanian, District President, National Federation of Telecom Employees, led the demonstration. One hundred and fifty members participated in it. T. Jeyapandian, District Secretary, Federation of National Telecom Organization and T. Gnanaraj, Welfare Association of SC / ST, were present.

Tirunelveli
Members of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Workers' Alliance staged a demonstration during the lunch hour on the premises of the Office of General Manager, Tirunelveli Telecom District here on Monday pressing various demands.

The protestors said the National Federation of Telecom Employees and National Union of BSNL Workers should be involved in the wage settlement talks and an advance of Rs. 60,000 be given to the workers.

The existing pension scheme should be followed in future also. M. Nainar, M. Paramasivan, S. Papanasam, K. Radhakrishnan, office-bearers spoke.

[sajiv]

BSNL discount

Thiruvananthapuram: The BSNL will provide discounts and freebies to post paid mobile customers with effect from Wednesday.

Amit Mishra, General Manager (Marketing) said here that they included increase in the number of monthly free calls and introduction of free and or discounted call charges during night hours from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Customers of various post paid plans like 99, 725, 525, 225 and 325 would benefit.

[dhilipkumar]

Telecom tribunal stays BSNL notice to Vodafone Essar

Giving some relief to mobile phone service provider, Vodafone Essar, the telecom tribunal TDSAT on Thursday stayed a notice issued by the government-controlled BSNL to disconnect the latter's from its network.

Admitting a petition from Vodafone Essar Gujarat Ltd, the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) stayed the disconnection notice issued by BSNL on March 5, 2009 following a dispute over an amount of Rs 3.54 crore and for allegedly wrongly routing of international calls.

"...operation of the impugned notice dated 05.03.2009 is stayed," said the TDSAT bench headed by Justice Arun Kumar.

Issuing notice to BSNL, the tribunal also directed it to file its reply within three weeks. The tribunal also directed Vodafone to file a rejoinder over that within two weeks thereafter if the company wanted.

Vodafone Essar approached the sectoral tribunal after BSNL served it a notice to disconnect its Points of Interconnections (POI) from its network over dispute on payments of ADC charges and other for allegedly routing of international calls by using local numbers.

On finding it, BSNL had slapped highest slab charges, which was opposed by Vodafone before the tribunal as the company was not aware of it.

The tribunal has directed to list the matter on May 11 for further directions.


indiatimes

[VelMurugan]

Few Takers for MTNL, BSNL 3G Service

Amid the ongoing fuss about the 3G spectrum auction, state-owned telecom service providers MTNL and BSNL got the privilege of rolling out 3G services in the country.

The third generation telephony services have been available for subscription since February. But how many Dilli-wallas, or folks from Durgapur, Ranchi, and other places have actually opted for high speed internet access on their mobile phone?

Reality check: Reportedly, MTNL, which currently offers 3G services in Delhi has attracted a mere 200-300 subscribers. MTNL currently offers its Jadoo 3G services in limited parts of Delhi and plans to extend this service to the whole city in a few months time.

As for BSNL, it has managed to gather as many as 3,000 customers in over 24 cities since a month of its commercial launch. Is there a lesson here to be learnt here? Well, most definitely yes. As first aid, MTNL announced a waiver in its 3G service tariff last month.

Along with reduced tariff, perhaps educating the masses about 3G capabilities will do the trick for the two telecom operators. Improving the MTNL and BSNL websites, along with a 'friendly' and 'responsive' customer care service would also help.

Unless the two companies aggressively market their 3G services, entry of the private players in the 3G scene will spell doom for them.

source : techtree

[sajiv]

Public call office launched

TIRUCHI: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has launched a public call office service based on Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) technology.

The cost of the PCO instrument will be Rs.3,000.

Under the pre-paid service, free calls worth Rs.1,500 would be allowed within BSNL network as an introductory offer.

Recharge coupons in various denominations were available in all customer service centres.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL invites petitions before April 19 

VELLORE: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has requested telephone subscribers of Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts to send petitions on their unsettled grievances to the Divisional Engineer (PR), office of the General Manager, BSNL, Vellore, before April 19, for disposal during a telephone adalat. The date and venue of the adalat will be intimated later.

According to a release, the BSNL has reduced tariff under various plans of post-paid mobile services. No security deposit would be collected from landline customers who are employes of State/Central government/public sector undertakings, for post-paid connections.

Plan 99 and Plan 198 have 50 minutes' free calls, and 100 and 1,500 free SMS a month respectively. Plans 225, 325 and 425 have free calls worth Rs.125, Rs.150 and Rs.175 respectively. In Plan 525, there would be free calls worth Rs.300, 300 minutes free incoming calls while roaming, unlimited night calling local calls, 50 per cent night calling STD calls and 5 mb free GPRS.

The pulse rate is 15 seconds. Intra-circle calls would be charged at 40 paise per minute. In Plan 725, there would be unlimited free local calls, GPRS, night calling local calls and night calling STD calls.

The call charges have been reduced in Plans 225, 325, 425, 525, 725 and 999.

The BSNL has introduced recharge facility for pre-paid customers. Details could be had by contacting Customer Service Centres or by visiting www.bsnl.co.in.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL Reduces Tariff Plans

Some more tariff revisions have been announced for BSNL. The state-owned telecom operator has reduced rent of some of its post-paid mobile plans.


-  The One India plan 299 has been merged with plan 225.


- Free Roaming plan 550 has been merged with plan 525.

Subscribers of plan 299 and plan 550 will be migrated by default to plan 225 and plan 525 respectively.

- Tariff under plan 490 has been rationalized and fixed monthly charge has been reduced from Rs.490 to Rs.425.

source: techtree

[dwarakesh]

BSNL offers PCs to rural subscribers at 80% discount

State-run PSU has launched a new initiative to offer computer terminals to the rural population at discounts as high as 80 percent bundled with its broadband connections.

The new scheme offers 512 kbps broadband at Rs 99 per month with 400 MB free download and for Rs 150 rental, 1 GB free download.

BSNL has tied up with M/s Novatium and M/s HCL to offer PCs at monthly rent/EMI.

The agreement with Novartium offers subscribers a computer under client mode server mode at a monthly rental of Rs 175 and a refundable security of Rs 1,900.

The tie-up with HCL offers PC terminal at monthly EMI of Rs 260 and Rs 1,500 refundable security deposit.

source:telecomtiger

[dwarakesh]

BSNL tweaks post-paid rates

Thiruvananthapuram: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) has rationalised the rate of its post-paid mobile service. Now, the call rates of the post-paid service are nearly equal to those of the pre-paid services.

Prior to the rationalisation, Plan 99 of government employees was not attractive and hence, many subscribers migrated to other pre-paid plans.

Now, for Plan 99 customers, BSNL is offering free calls and SMSs from Rs.100 a month and full value for the money spent as monthly fixed charge. Emphasis has been given to the use of GPRS.

[sajiv]

BSNL tweaks post-paid rates

Thiruvananthapuram: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) has rationalised the rate of its post-paid mobile service. Now, the call rates of the post-paid service are nearly equal to those of the pre-paid services.

Prior to the rationalisation, Plan 99 of government employees was not attractive and hence, many subscribers migrated to other pre-paid plans.

Now, for Plan 99 customers, BSNL is offering free calls and SMSs from Rs.100 a month and full value for the money spent as monthly fixed charge. Emphasis has been given to the use of GPRS.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL officers worried over revenue erosion

TIRUCHI: The Tiruchi district unit of the All India BSNL Officers Association (AIBSNLOA) has expressed concern over the "fall in revenue and market value" of the public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.

In a resolution adopted at its meeting here on Tuesday, the association called upon the BSNL management to devise marketing strategies to reverse the trend. Value added technological services should be introduced to attract more customers and the operations/services of the organisation should be expanded internationally.

Shortcomings in the broadband services should be rectified and high speed Internet service should be offered to customers. The organisation should introduce 3G services and cable Internet services so as to reach more customers. Service upgradation should be done on a war footing. Efforts should be taken immediately to rectify faults on cable lines along highways which have been damaged owing to four-laning works.

The association held the Centre's liberalisation policies responsible for the fall in revenues of BSNL. Indian Telecom Service officials continue to remain under the control of the Centre, which should immediately bring them under the BSNL management, a resolution said.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL Lok Adalat in Arni today

VELLORE:The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited will be conducting a Lok Adalat with the coordination of the Taluk Legal Services Authority (TLSA), Arni, on the premises of TLSA in Arni at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

According to a release, the BSNL and the TLSA would review the defaulter cases of both landline and mobile connections, in the presence of the Sub Judge, Arni, and enable the defaulters to settle the dues mutually to avoid further legal action.

The summoned defaulters, defaulters who had been served revenue notices and others who had got dispute may avail themselves of this final opportunity to attend the Lok Adalat and settle their cases.

The defaulters of both landline and mobile had been requested to come prepared for spot payment/settlement.

[dwarakesh]

25 telephone exchanges in Tirupur to get broadband services 

Tirupur: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will make broadband services available in all the 25 telephone exchanges under Tirupur Short Distance Changing Area (SDCA) limits before the end of the first quarter of the current financial year, according to M. Venaiah, Deputy General Manager, BSNL.

He said that Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers (DSLAM) equipment with 120-port capacity each would be established at Peruntholuvu and Velliyangadu exchanges and a DSLAM device with 64-port would be erected at Gangainaickenpalayam exchange, to enable the customers in these areas to get an access to broadband services.

The installation of modern-DSLAM device would help the service provider to connect multiple customer Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) to a high-speed internet backbone line using multiplexing techniques.

Mr. Venaih said DSLAM gadgets with 960-port each capacity had been introduced recently at Tirupur Main and Pitchampalayam Pudur telephone exchanges to make the broadband services yet again available at these centres on demand. "We are also in the process of upgrading port capacity in few other exchanges too in a phased manner," he added.

He said that to improve cell phone coverage in the city, a cell Base Trans-receiver Station (BTS) would be commissioned at Mannarai and Muthanampalayam shortly, taking the total number of cell BTS under Tirupur SDCA to 62.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL facility

KOLLAM: In spite of being a holiday, the BSNL customer care centre near the District Hospital will function on April 13.

The centre will open at 8 a.m. and operate till 3 p.m. Customers can pay their bills at the centre on that day, an official release said.

[sajiv]

BSNL announcement

Coimbatore: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Coimbatore, has announced the introduction of "Free automatic current meter reading facility" in a number of exchanges.

According to a press release issued by BSNL here, the facility has been introduced in telephone exchanges attached to the Ganapathy EWSD telephone exchange, Race Course, Pappanaickenpalayam, Ukkadam, Sanganur, Arasur, Podanur, Sai Baba Colony (DLC level 2458), Narashimanaickenpalayam, Gandhimaanagar, Isha, Tatatad II, R.S. Puram, Peelamedu (levels 2580/2582), Karunya Nagar, Madampatti, Thondamuthur, Sircarsamakulam, Saravanampatti, Kurichi, Sulur (level 2683/2684), Amrita, Ettimadai and Kuniamuthur.

Service
BSNL landline customers who want to know their current meter reading (i.e. usage) could dial 19621 (English) or 19622 (Tamil). The service is offered free of charge to subscribers, the release added.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL eyeing overseas acquisition of telcos

After MTNL's foray into Nepal and Mauritius, now its bigger counterpart BSNL is eying acquisitions of telecom companies abroad to get foothold in the global market.

"We are looking at expanding our business overseas through acquisitions of telecom companies abroad," company's CMD Kuldeep Goyal told PTI. He said the criteria of acquiring a company would depend on the due diligence undertaken by it but its strategy is going to both organic and inorganic growth to drive revenues.

Goyal said BSNL's Articles of Association empower it to go for bidding of telecom licences abroad and acquire companies if they fit into its growth parametres synergistically apart from the right valuations. BSNL along with TCIL may bid for telecom licence in Tunisia, he added

Analysts said high competition, fall in earnings and expectations of a growing global telephony market is leading company to other geographies. As for BSNL, it is the capacity utilisation that lies unused, while the stress is to gain the first-mover advantage in newer geographies, they said.

MTNL already operates in Mauritius and Nepal. Recently, it lost in a number of bidding process in many countries like Saudi Arabia and Kenya.

Source: businessstandard

[dwarakesh]

BSNL centres

KOLLAM: In addition to the BSNL Centre near District Hospital here, BSNL centres at Kollam CTO, Kundara, Paripally, Kottiyam, Anchal, Ayur, Puthur, Kottarakara, Kadakkal, Punalur, Pathanapuram, Ochira and Karunagapally will also remain open on Monday, the BSNL office informed in a statement.

[dwarakesh]

Attractive broadband schemes from BSNL 

CHENNAI: BSNL is backing up its broadband infrastructure expansion spree with attractive schemes to increase its user base in the State.

For existing customers, BSNL has introduced a discount scheme that offers a 15 to 40 per cent relief on usage charges in excess of the prescribed limits. For usage above the 1 GB limit, the customer gets a 15 per cent discount, for usage above 5 GB and upto 10 GB, users get a discount of 30 per cent and for usage above the 10 GB limit, the discount is 40 per cent. The security deposit applicable on Plans of 500 and below has been waived for broadband connections applied after April 1. In two new plans for rural users with connections with a minimum speed of 512 kbps, BSNL is offering free download/upload of 400 MB for a monthly fee of Rs.99 and free download of 1 GB on a monthly charge of Rs.150.

Tamil Nadu Circle has so far commissioned 2653 DSLAM equipment, of which 993 have been deployed in rural areas covering an estimated 5092 villages across the State.

[sajiv]

Issue new identity cards, demand BSNL employees

Tuticorin: Members of the BSNL Employees' Union observed a token fast here on Wednesday pressing their demands.

The demands included the issuance of new identity cards to all the staff, the construction of the administrative building, implementation of rotational transfers to the staff at the administrative office, deployment of additional staff at the customer service centre, payments of incentive to the eligible staff for delivery of telephone bills. K. Gandhi, District President, BSNL Employees' Union led the fast. M. Jayamurugan, District Secretary, BSNL Employees Union, took part.

[sajiv]

BSNL mela

BSNL, Vijayawada, will organise a 'reconnection/new phone connection mela' at Anjaneyaswamy temple near Kotha Vantena for '243' and '244' levels on Thursday, at Prabhas College near Lotus Landmark for '253' level on Friday and at Dabakotla Centre in Ajitsingh Nagar for '240' level on Saturday.

The melas will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offer special concessions to subscribers opting for BSNL facilities.

[sajiv]

BSNL Lok Adalat in Ambur tomorrow

VELLORE:The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited will be conducting a Lok Adalat with the coordination of the Taluk Legal Services Authority (TLSA), Ambur, on the premises of TLSA, Ambur, at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday. It will realise telephone/mobile outstanding dues from defaulters of Ambur connected area.

According to a release, the BSNL and the authority would review defaulter cases of both landline and mobile in the presence of the Sub-Judge, Ambur, to enable the defaulters to settle the dues mutually to avoid legal action. The summoned defaulters, the defaulters who had been served revenue notices and others who had got dispute could avail themselves of this final opportunity and settle the issues. The defaulters of landline/mobile had been requested to come prepared for spot payment/settlement.

[sajiv]

BSNL instals 1,360 phones

KHAMMAM: The BSNL has installed some 1,360 telephones in the polling stations in 10 Assembly segments at the behest of the administration, according to the Chief General Manager, P. Sitaramaraju on Thursday. In an official release issued here he thanked the district administration for utilising the services of the BSNL for dissemination of information during the elections in a big way.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL &SmartLinx join hands for Online tutoring service

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, in association with SmartLinx VoIP Networks, has launched LiveTutor.in. This will be an online tutoring service that would offer its users personalized online tuitions via a videophone or web camera.

The LiveTutor service, which is priced at between Rs 50 and Rs 400 an hour depending on the level of studies (it is totally depending on subjects, type of classes and also quality of teachers) needed, the user of this services would require a BSNL broadband connection and a videophone or webcam set up on their PC or notebook.

The videophone, which will not require a computer, will be sold at Rs 9,999 or students will have an option of software version for computers priced at Rs 2,500. BSNL aims to enroll about 200,000 students to the LiveTutor service in three years says reports.

source: itvoir

[sajiv]

BSNL pavilion

Thrissur: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has opened a pavilion in the Thrissur Pooram Exhibition. Free browsing facility of Broadband and demonstration of internet connection using EVDO have been arranged in the pavilion, according to a release issued here.

[sajiv]

BSNL cable in Madipakkam damaged

Cable system lying beneath stormwater drain construction materials

CHENNAI: The telephone cable network of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in Madipakkam has been damaged due to works carried out for construction of stormwater drain in the area. In a release, BSNL estimated that more than 600 lines have been affected due to work.

Though restoration work has been initiated, the authorities are finding it difficult to as the cable system is lying beneath the construction materials. This is second such incident involving damage to telephone cables due to development work in recent weeks in the southern suburbs. Hundreds of telephone lines in Keelkatalai were affected last week.

[sajiv]

BSNL adalat

MALAPPURAM: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) will hold a telephone adalat for customers in Malappuram District in the last week of April. Fresh complaints without trying the usual channels, complaints pending settlement in courts, delay in provision of new connection, and mass complaints from associations will not be considered for the adalat. Complaints, along with copies of earlier submissions, should be sent to the Sub-Divisional Engineer (PR), Office of the General Manager, BSNL, DPO Road, Malappuram, before April 25.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL's new division to focus on international opportunities

BSNL has come up with a international business division which will basically work towards identifying new business opportunities in way of acquisition or bidding for new licences.

The company has received in-principle approval from the board for such a move.

[nithyasubramanian]

BSNL ties up with Ericsson Consulting for 3G service

New Delhi, April 23: Chalking out an aggressive strategy to garner more 3G mobile subscribers, state run BSNL has tied up with consulting arm of Swedish telecom equipment vendor Ericsson.

"We have tied up with Ericsson Consulting under our 'Go To Market' strategy. It will perform network improvement and optimisation services for the core, radio and transmission networks installed by its parent Ericsson," a senior official of the PSU told media.

BSNL is not positioning 3G service for the mass market, he said.

The official, who did not wish to be named, said the PSU has reported 8,000-10,000 subscribers since its launch few months ago.

However industry sources disputed this figure saying the company may have garnered not more than 2000 customers over 24 cities.

Private players are yet to start the 3G service as they would get the required spectrum through auction, which is yet to take place. Till they launch the service, BSNL is trying to leverage its first mover advantage.

BSNL is focusing on brand, marketing and customer acquisition strategy for 3G service, which it is projecting as a niche service.

courtesy : Zeenews.com

[sajiv]

BSNL customers meet

BSNL customers can air their grievances at 'customer meets' that will be conducted at all the area managers' offices in the city on Monday.

They will be held between 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.

[sajiv]

BSNL launches IPTV services

CHENNAI: Chennai Telephones on Friday launched 'Myway BSNL' Interactive Personalised Television and Video Services.

A press release said customers may use telephone and broadband connection along with a set-top box provided by Myway BSNL and view more than 150 channels. K.Sridhara, Member Technology,

Department of Telecom, launched the service that is provided in association with Smart Digivision Private Limited.

P.Velusamy, chief general manager of Chennai Telephones participated in the function.

Customers may also download their favourite movies from the video library.

Parental control facility
The service also provides parental control facility to block specific contents.

The contents of IPTV would be constantly reviewed to enable viewers enjoy latest collections, be it movies or songs, the release said.

Registration for IPTV can be made online on www.myway.in or on www.chennai.bsnl.co.in, by sending text message to 56767 or email to myway@myway.in.

[sajiv]

BSNL introduces online payment facility

VELLORE: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Vellore, has introduced the facility of online payment of telephone bills through Internet Banking by logging on to www.bsnl.co.in.

According to a release, BSNL landline and cell one subscribers could pay as well as view their bills online. Subscribers desirous of paying the bills online should register their name, contact address and email ID.

They could add their phone account by giving the unique ID of the BSNL telephone number (which is available in the telephone bill) and the phone number. The registration and addition of phone account is an instantaneous and one-time process. While adding phone account, there is an option of emailing of the new bill as and when it is generated.

Customers could also make online payment of post-paid bill. After registration, cell one account is to be added, for which bill is to be viewed and paid. On completion of payment of either a landline or post-paid bill in the Internet Banking system, the customer is re-directed to view the digital receipt for the paid bill. Details and clarifications could be had by sending email to billpay@bsnl.co.in.

[sajiv]

BSNL customer meet today

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is conducting customer meet at its offices in Krishna district on Monday.

The programme will be held at the general manager's officer at Chuttugunta in the city and the offices of the divisional engineer at Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Nuzvid, Vuyyuru, Challapalli, Kaikaluru, Nandigama, Tiruvuru and Gannavaram from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL to offer bundled handset offer along with Nokia for 3G services

BSNL and Nokia have tied up to offer bundled handsets to subscribers opting for 3G services.

Under the tie-up, Nokia 3120Classic, Nokia 5320, Nokia N79, Nokia N81, Nokia E71 and the Nokia 5800Xpress Music models will be made available to the subscribers of BSNL.

Additionally the two players are also working towards offering certain Nokia applications to the 3G subscribers.

source: telecomtiger

[dwarakesh]

BSNL launches GSM mobile PCO

Tuticorin: Tuticorin BSNL has introduced GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) Mobile PCO (Public Call Office) to its customers in Tuticorin Telecom District on Monday.

To obtain the mobile PCO, customer has to buy a SIM card at a cost of Rs. 221 and the card will give the subscriber free talk time worth Rs. 50.

Further recharge cards are available for Rs. 5, 515 with a duration of 30 day validity and the customer can talk up to Rs. 9, 502 with the help of recharge card. The customers with mobile PCO can be assured of 42 per cent through the SIM card.

To make local and STD calls for one minute, 58 paise will be charged. At the same time, 58 paise will be charged per 8 seconds for making calls to America, Canada, England and Sri Lanka.

For calls made to Europe, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Kuwait and Dubai, the customer has to pay 58 paise per 5 seconds whereas 58 paise per 4 seconds will be charged for the calls made to Saudi, Oman and Qatar through this mobile PCO.

Call conferencing facility is also available in the mobile PCO. For this facility, Rs. 5.51 will be charged a minute for countries like America, Canada, England and Sri Lanka. Customers can use the facility to countries like Europe, Singapore, Malaysia and Kuwait at the rate of Rs. 8.12 a minute. Call conference charges for Saudi, Oman and Qatar will be Rs. 9.85 a minute.

Customers can collect the SIM card from all BSNL customer service centres, BSNL franchisees and BSNL Direct Selling Agents in Tuticorin Telecom District. Customers can get this mobile PCO by applying with photo, photo proof and address proof from the above mentioned outlets, according to N. R. Natarajan, General Manager, BSNL, Tuticorin.

Speaking to reporters, he said the Tuticorin Telecom District stood first in Tamil Nadu in terms of energy conservation on usage of electricity and fuel.

He said it also stood second in GSM growth rate in Tamil Nadu. He gave away the newly introduced GSM SIM card.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL to offer personalised ringback tones

VIJAYAWADA: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in Krishna district is all set to offer personalised ringback tone service to its landline users in two to three days.

This is a value added service for which a user has to pay a monthly additional charge of Rs. 25 and a one-time download charge of Rs.12.

A user can select from 50,000 tunes available in the vast collection and they can have a novel experience with this, according to BSNL Krishna telecom General Manager M. John Chrisostom.

Globally popular, personalised ringback tones are increasingly being used among all groups.

Callers hear an audio selection applied to the telephone line that has been previously determined by the called party.

In the audio selections, there will be music, messages, greetings and special effects like mixing.

The equipment is installed in the telephone network to enable replacement of the standard ringback tone with a personalised audio selection.

Mr. Chrisostom says the BSNL is considering introducing 3G (third generation) services in the city in three months from now.

With this, the users here will be able to access and enjoy most modern services, including high speed broadband and video calls on their mobiles phones.

The BSNL Krishna district conducted the commercial launch of WiMAX services on Saturday.

The Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) is a telecommunications technology that provides wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes, from point-to-multipoint links to fully mobile internet access.

[dwarakesh]

The Mobile Store to Retail BSNL Services Pan India

Mobile retail outlets chain The Mobile Store has announced a tie-up with state-run telecom service provider, BSNL to retail the operators services across its outlets.

Through this partnership, The Mobile Store aims to provide customers with the all BSNL services ranging from Fixed Lines, Internet, CDMA and GSM Mobile Connections, Recharges and more. BSNL customers will also get to choose from a variety of handsets at one place.

With this colaboration, a customer will be able to purchase a BSNL connection or recharge his prepaid connection in any of The MobileStore outlets across the country through The Mobile Store outlets.

source: techtree

[dwarakesh]

"Myway BSNL" : New IPTV Service introduces in Chennai

BSNL, Chennai and Smart Digivision Pvt Ltd have launched the Interactive Personalized Television and Video (IPTV) services under the brand name 'Myway BSNL' in Chennai.

With the new service, the company claims that, customers will now be able to watch over 150 channels using the telephone and broadband connection along with a set top box to be provided by Myway. Also, they could access to other features like video and music on demand.

It has a parental control child lock facility to block specific contents and channels through a PIN based system. In future, BSNL plans to offer great features like pause live TV, which would allow you to pause live programming.

To avail the Myway BSNL services, subscribers will have a choice to pay a one-time Rs. 2,500, or pay a rent of Rs. 50 a month for the services where a refundable security deposit of Rs 1,000 will be collected. There are four tariff plans Junior (55 channels), Economy (80 channels), Value (95 channels) and Super value (140 channels) which costs Rs. 100, Rs. 150, Rs. 200 and Rs. 280 respectively.

source: itvoir

[dwarakesh]

BSNL special collection mela

VELLORE: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is conducting a special bill collection mela for subscribers of Vellore, Vaniyambadi, Chengam, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvettipuram, Gudiyatham, Arni and Ambur between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, for settlement of grievances, payment of pending dues, reconnection, etc.
April 2009 bill

According to a BSNL release, customers could pay the telephone bill of April 2009 in all BSNL counters without surcharge up till Thursday.

The BSNL has requested the subscribers of the above areas to make use of this opportunity for settlement of grievances, payment of pending bills and getting reconnection.
Discount

Long-pending cases could be settled with attractive discount for the customers who are making spot payment in a single instalment.

[sajiv]

BSNL's Nova netPC launched in Tirunelveli

TIRUNELVELI: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as part of a major initiative to provide affordable computing service to the masses launched the 'Nova netPC' here on Thursday.

BSNL has tied up with Novatium Solutions to provide its broadband services with latter's home computing service 'Nova netPC.'

A consumer would get a desktop computer at Rs.2,999 (excluding taxes) on a monthly subscription of Rs.125, under Home – 125.

This initiative would ensure easy computer access to people in both rural and urban areas, besides helping in the growth of broadband.
Student community to benefit largely

With the huge connectivity and infrastructure, the BSNL hopes that the new service would help in computing and broadband penetration in rural Tirunelveli, particularly among the student community, said General Manager, BSNL, Tirunelveli Telecom District V. Raju, while launching the product here.

The affordable and user-friendly desktop could be operated like any household appliance.

Nova netPC allows the subscriber to do computing without the hassles of software upgrades and anti-virus downloads, Mr. Raju noted.
Central server to manage hardware

Most of the hardware functions of a computer would be managed by a central server.

Most of the widely used applications would be available to the user.

The central server would facilitate access to the BSNL's broadband conduit, for which the user has to subscribe to any of the DataOne monthly plans.

The user would be provided with a broadband modem, keyboard, mouse, videogames, Skybeand other recreation services would be offered free of cost. Customers could purchase the video monitor separately according to their choice or could be purchased from Novatium under different schemes.
Rs.700 to be charged as installation fee

An installation fee of Rs.700 would be charged.

Customers could also avail a discount of 20 per cent offered in the monthly plan charges under Home Plan – 125, Home Plan – 250 and 10 per cent rebate for other plans.

The product would be available at BSNL's Service Centres and also at Tirunelveli Junction-based BG Systems, the authorised dealer.

[dwarakesh]

BSNL to launch 3G mobile service in July

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the state-owned telecom service provider, today said 3G mobile services will be available to its subscribers in Bangalore from July this year. BSNL is investing around Rs 650 crore for installation of equipment and other infrastructure for launching the services in Bangalore. The 3G mobile services will be available across the state after December this year, a senior BSNL official said here

Bangalore will be the second city in South India to get 3G mobile services from BSNL after Chennai, where the service was launched in February this year. BSNL 3G mobile services are currently available in 10 north Indian cities.

In Bangalore, to begin with, 200,000 lines will be provided with the services. The customers of 3G services will get three main services like video on demand, video conferencing and broadband on mobile and the tariffs have been fixed, R Mani, general manager, mobile services, BSNL said.

Speaking to Business Standard, he said BSNL is currently engaged in installation of core equipment like base station switches and towers to roll out 3G services and by July, it aims to complete the work. It has already launched Blackberry services in Bangalore under three tariff plans and has introduced three handsets in the price range of Rs 14,000 to Rs 35,000. While, Wipro is providing the backend support, the handsets are being supplied by Bharti Tele Tech Ltd, he said.

The third generation mobile service enables a range of upgraded services, including rich voice, data and video services, to the subscribers. 3G makes possible video streaming applications such as Live TV, movie downloads, high speed data download on mobile phones with 3G services enabled. Callers can also see each other on their mobile phone screens.

Shubhendu Ghosh, principal general manager, BSNL Bangalore Telecom District, said the landline subscriber base has grown by 13 per cent to reach 188,000 lines during 2008-09, compared to the previous year. Its broadband subscriber base has gone up by two and half times to 250,000 subscribers during year ended March 31, 2009 compared to the previous fiscal.

During 2008-09, BSNL reached a mobile subscriber base of 2.4 million in Karnataka, a growth of 30 per cent over the previous year. Of this, Bangalore has a subscriber base of 600,000.

About 93 per cent of its mobile users are pre-paid customers. To expand its broadband customer base, BSNL launched six new tariff plans.

source: Businessstandard

[dwarakesh]

BSNL to set up 133 new base terminals in Nellore 

NELLORE: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Nellore district will install 133 new Base Terminal Stations (BTS) in next three months in the district, said the BSNL district general manager G. Gopi.

Speaking to newsmen here on Saturday, he said BSNL is operating about 143 BTS in the district and 133 more have been planned which will provide better signalling for BSNL mobile customers. The company is offering new schemes like Power Pack Scheme for Rs. 225 with one year validity and Rs. 60 talk time, Vennele scheme with Rs. 150 SIM card and 300 days validity, he said.

BSNL is operating 1.05 lakh landline phones, 3 lakh mobile connections and 7,600 broadband connections in the district, he said.
Public grievances

The officials will conduct 'Dial BSNL GM' on every Tuesday from 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Public may call over 0861-2306699 and explain the problems to the general manager and officials directly, said the GM.

[sajiv]

BSNL staff stage demonstration

Against decision on interim relief

Tuticorin: Members of the BSNL Employees Union and Telecom Employees Progressive Union stayed away from work and staged an hour-long demonstration from 11 a.m. to 12 noon here on Monday.

The unilateral announcement made by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) administration regarding payment of an interim relief of four-month basic pay without holding consultations with recognised unions was not fair, M. Jayamurugan, District Secretary, BSNL Employees Union, said.

The negotiations on wage revision between the non-executive employees and administration did not reach any understanding. As per the directive of United Forum of BSNL Union, the employees staged protest throughout India for the same cause, he said.

S. Paulraj Pattukumar, District Treasurer, BSNL employees union, led the protest.

R. Selvaperumal, District Secretary, Telecom Employees Progressive Union, also participated in the demonstration