BSNL to launch app-based Internet telephony service

The public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is poised to launch a unique app-based Internet telephony service for the first time in India. Christened – BSNL Wings – the registration for this service has already started and the service is expected to roll out very soon.

“The response from customers is very encouraging in the city in 10 days after the launch of registrations for the service. Most of the registrations are made online and we are still verifying them. Some international companies have asked for CUG (Closed User Group) facility. We expect very good response once the service is launched,” Principal General Manager, BSNL Telecom District, Nalini Verma told The Hindu here on Friday.
While in other app-based services, the receiver should invariably have the same app as the caller, a Wings customer can make a call to any landline or mobile phone within or outside India, irrespective of whether the receiver is a Wings customer or not.
The new service, to be offered through Next Generation Network (NGN) network, of BSNL, facilitates both voice and video calling for the user. But, for video calling, both parties should be on Wings. A Wings subscriber can use the Internet connection of any operator’s 3G/4G/Broadband Internet/free Wi-Fi hotspot to receive and originate his fixed line calls through the app. The customer should have a smartphone to download the app. It can also be used through wi-fi devices like laptop, personal computer and phablet.
A subscriber can register for the service by giving his/her name, Aadhaar number, email id and mobile number.
A 10-digit Wings number will be allotted to the customer, without a SIM, and it can be used for both voice and video calling. The customer would, however, require an active Internet connection from any operator.
“As the service is offered through the Vo IP (Voice over Internet Protocol) app, every call would be monitored to rule out problems like receiving of anonymous threatening calls or fake calls by Wings subscribers,” said Assistant General Manager (Marketing) Satya Prasad.
Agreement form
The one-time registration charge is Rs. 1,099. The call charges are free to any network for one year in India, and for international calls it would be as per existing landline tariffs to that country. A Customer Agreement Form (CAF) can be obtained from any of the Customer Service Centres of BSNL. Subscribers, who wish to avail of ISD (international calls) service, a security deposit of Rs. 2,000 has to be paid.
Online registration can be done by logging on towww.bsnl.co.inorhttps://sancharaadhar.
bsnl.co.in/Wings/