Will Digital India prove too costly for gram panchayats?

The Union government’s much publicised Digital India programme, under which gram panchayat offices are provided with high-speed internet facility through fibre cable, has attracted objections regarding tariff. Several gram panchayats and officers of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department have pointed out that the monthly charges fixed for the facility are too high for gram panchayats to bear.

Under the Fibre to The Home (FTTH) programme, gram panchayats are provided high speed (ranging from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps) internet facility. The minimum cost under this scheme is Rs. 3,999 per month (10 Mbps with up to 50 GB data).

BSNL, MTNL merger decision to be taken in 4-5 months

The decision on merging state-run BSNL and MTNL will be taken in the next four-five months, Telecom SecretaryRakesh Garg said on Friday.

"BSNL, MTNL merger decision will be taken in four-five months after studying the IIM report on it," he said.

Anupam Shrivastava, BSNL chairman-cum-managing director, said MTNL will be delisted before the merger. MTNL stocks rallied 20% intra-day. The stocks were trading 14.46% up at 2.11 p.m in the Bombay Stock Exchange.

India’s best and worst telecom firms

Bengaluru/New Delhi: It is a truth universally acknowledged that most people with mobile phones must be unhappy with their telco (never mind which one it is). Service quality has dipped in recent years—partly because of spectrum shortage; partly because most telcos are loaded with debt arising from 3G (high-speed third-generation services) and 4G auctions; and partly because of a court ruling that has resulted in many cell towers in residential areas being taken down.

BSNL to deploy fibre connections in 5,202 Bihar villages

Indian state-run operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has won the Digital India project in Bihar and 16 other states. The digital divide has to be removed by laying optical fibre in every village (panchayats) to provide broadband connectivity to rural India, The Economic Times reports, citing S L Singh, chief general manager, BSNL, Bihar Circle. The first stage of the project covers 315 blocks and 5,202 gram panchayats, while the second stage includes 219 blocks and 3,152 panchayats.

BSNL aims to connect 2,500 gram panchayats in Bengal through OFC by 2016

Addressing at the Digital India week celebration in New Delhi, BSNL CGM (Bengal circle) Kishore Kumar, said that BSNL will roll out optical fibre connectivity to 2,503 gram panchayats of the state by 2016. 

Telecom giant to connect panchayats

Guwahati: Telecom giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is planning to provide 100 Mbps internet connectivity to 1,091 panchyats in the state by March 2016.

The public-sector company is not alone. Different telecom companies will provide 100 Mbps internet connectivity to over 2,000 panchayats across the state by next year.

BSNL to set up mobile towers in all border outposts in Assam

Public sector undertaking BSNL today said it will set up mobile towers in all border outposts in Assam by 2017, helping consumers with better connectivity.

"So far, we were not allowed to set up towers in border areas due to security reasons. After the government approved the proposal, now we are in the process of setting up the towers in each border outpost," BSNL Chief General Manager (Assam Telecom Circle) Rajiv Yadav told reporters here.

Celltick partners with BSNL to offer location-based Cell Broadcast services

Celltick, announced the launch of ‘BSNL BUZZ’, a next generation Cell Broadcast Service for BSNL Mobile, a leading Mobile Service Provider in India. With this partnership, Celltick provides a fully managed high-value interactive service on the home screen for BSNL’s 77.2 million mobile subscribers through its patented LiveScreen platform.

BSNL to urge Centre to allow MNP in North East

Shillong: BSNL will pursue the telecom ministry to allow Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in the north eastern region, a senior company official today said.

"I'll try to ensure that the MNP service is extended to NE states. I'll raise this issue with the Union minister who will be visiting Agartala later this month," BSNL NE1, chief general manager, DP Singh told reporters in Shillong.

BSNL ties up with Celltick to launch cell broadcast service

Telecom service provider BSNL has tied up with Celltick to launch BSNL BUZZ cell broadcast service in India.

With this partnership, Celltick aims to provide managed interactive service on the home screen for BSNL’s 77.2 million mobile subscribers through its LiveScreen platform.

BSNL to enhance rural connectivity

Mangaluru, Jul 7:  The BSNL Dakshina Kannada Telecom District (DKTD) planned to cover all the 349 gram panchayats in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts under the national optical fibre network project this year, G R Ravi, district general manager, has said.

BSNL to offer optical fibre connectivity to 2,500 villages in Bengal

State-run BSNL's Bengal circle will be rolling out optical fibre connectivity to 2,503 gram panchayats of the state by 2016. "We have already been able to connect 500 gram panchayats and by next year we will complete connecting the rest," BSNL CGM (Bengal circle) Kishore Kumar said here today at the Digital India week celebration.

BSNL Launches Mobile Wallet

BSNL, the State-run operator has launched a pre-paid card combined with a mobile wallet service on July 4. The service will permit its customers to transfer cash, buy services as well as withdraw money of up to Rs 1 lakh. Speed Pay, the wallet service can be used by a client to load cash even with the lack of a bank account.

No conclusive proof that mobile radiation is harmful: BSNL

There is no decisive data or evidence so far to show that radiations from mobile phones or towers have adverse health or environmental effects in India, a top BSNL official here said.

"There is no conclusive study, data or evidences about the bad health or ecological effects of radiations from mobile phones or towers in India," Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) chief general manager (northeast circle one) D.P. Singh told reporters.

BSNL flays Centre’s MNP decision on NE

SHILLONG: The nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) has become a reality with mobile operators Airtel, Vodafone, Idea and others rolling out the policy that will allow customers to retain their existing numbers across the country while they can change their service provider.

मैनेजमेंट ट्रेनी भर्ती के विरोध में धरने पर बैठे बीएसएनएल कर्मचारी

जयपुर. बीएसएनएल कंपनी में मैनेजमेंट ट्रेनी की भर्ती का विरोध कर कर्मचारी आज दोपहर को अपना मांग पत्र बीएसएनएल बोर्ड को सौंपेंगे। कर्मचारियों का कहना है कि बोर्ड ने मांगों के समर्थन में गंभीरता से निर्णय नहीं लिया तो आगे की रणनीति बनाई जाएगी।

Recharge 135 (VOICE STV 135) will continue in Per Second Billing for BSNL Kerala Customers upto 28-09-2015

BSNL Kerala Telecom Circle - the most revenue generating circle of BSNL - has taken one more customer friendly decision as BSNL Prepaid Mobile customers can enjoy Per Second Billing for it's Most Poplar Voice STV - 135 (Recharge 135). Earlier, it was announced that, STV 135 will be changed to Per Minute billing pattern from 1st July 2015 onwards.

Full MNP (Nation wide MNP) to be launched in India from 3rd July 2015 onwards

As per latest information, Rakesh Garg, Chairman, Telecom Commission and Secretary, Department of Telecommunications has said that, the Nationwide Mobile Number Portability (Full MNP) will commence from 3rd July 2015 onwards. After implementing Full MNP, mobile phone users can retain their numbers while shifting between states and circles.

BSNL revises Broadband Internet Plans, Introduces New 4 Mbps & 8 Mbps High Speed Broadband Plans across India

India's largest Landline service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced the revision of it's existing Broadband Internet plans across India. As per the latest information, the PSU will be revising it's high speed broadband internet plans having download speed of 4 Mbps & 8 Mbps.

BSNL to add 2000 new 3G BTS in Kerala circle Kannur to get 330 new 3G BTS, a smart move to counter private operators

As part of Phase VII expansion, BSNL will be adding around 2000 new 3G BTS in Kerala circle. With this expansion BSNL wants to double its 3G footprint in the circle.

BSNL Introduces New Combo Unlimited Broadband Plan at Rs. 695 with 4 Mbps speed

BSNL has floated new promotional broadband plan in Kolkata. The newly proposed plan named “BBG Combo ULD 695 CS72″ makes available 4 GB data at 4 Mbps speed.

BSNL Introduces New Promotional 8 Mbps Plan at Rs. 1091 and extend existing plan In Karnataka

BSNL has set forth new promotional 8 Mbps broadband plan and extended an existing BB plan in Karnataka circle. The company has named this plan as ‘BBG Speed Combo ULD 1091 CS70′ under which users get 8 Mbps speed up to 60 GB and 512 Kbps beyond that. The monthly charges of this plan are Rs. 1091, while the annual charges are Rs. 12001. Users also get unlimited calls from 9 PM to 7 AM on any network within India.

BSNL to offer New Wi Fi Services Across India To Celebrate Digital India Week

The government has declared the first week of July (July 1, 2015 – July 7, 2015) as the Digital India Week. NAMO government has tabbed BSNL as its facilitating partner to expedite various events based on digitalization.

PM to launch Digital India on 1st July 2015, BSNL to commission NGN Exchanges, Phase VII 2G/3G expansion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Digital India Programme on 1st July 2015 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi. Leaders from 400 corporate houses including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella,  Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Wipro Chairman Azim Premji will be attending the function.

BSNL Kerala Telecom to modify Voice Calling STV 135 Prepaid tariff

State owned Telecom Company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in rationalization of bsnl tariff plans has decided to modify Voice Calling STV 135 (Voice STVs) to Per-minute billing under Prepaid mobile services across Kerala Telecom Circle.
Earlier this 135 voice calling STV freebies offers, 335 minutes Local/STD toany Network with validity for 30 days.

BSNL announced Free Installation Charges for closed Landline and Broadband customers who wants re-connection

National telecom backbone Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced Free Installation Charges for closed Landline, Broadband and  Combo plan customers in both Rural and Urban areas, who wants re-connection. BSNL has recently introduced Unlimited Free Night Calling Facility to all Landline and Broadband customers across India.

Broadband subscriber market share released by TRAI

According to TRAI data, the number of broadband subscribers increased 1.57 percent to 100.76 million in April 2015 from 99.20 million in March 2015.

The share of Bharti Airtel in the Indian broadband market including wireless and wireline in April 2015 was 22.46 percent, Vodafone 20.15 percent, BSNL 17.88 percent, Idea Cellular 14.9 percent and Reliance Communications 8.02 percent.

For landline, we define tariff; for mobile, we follow others, says BSNL chief

With a revenue generating revival plan in place, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has chalked out a set of customer-centric plans to retain its market.

While holding on to its dominant position in the landline category where it defines tariff, the company tries to keep its pricing lower than private players in mobile telephony. In conversation withBusinessLine, Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman and Managing Director, BSNL, shares the company’s plans to retain its market position. Edited experts:

BSNL agreement with Celltick to launch ‘BSNL BUZZ’ Cell Broadcast System (CBS) in India

BSNL is planning to launch prestigious BSNL Buzz Services to customers in India. BSNL Buzz service gives dais to customer unique high-value content and coupons for physical goods that be redeemed in store on Live Screen.

BSNL is partner with M/s Celltick Mobile Media (India) Pvt Ltd offering BSNL Buzz services for GSM customers across the country. Integration of Cell Broadcast System (CBS) BSNL Buzz delivers an enhanced, interactive and engaging experience to BSNL mobile subscribers.

BSNL places mobile tower with Indian Army’s help at 16,000 feet in Ladakh

BSNL with Indian Army’s help has set up the highest mobile tower in Eastern Ladakh. State-run BSNL, with the Army’s assistance, today operationalised a mobile tower at an altitude of 16,000 feet in Eastern Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

BSNL to Focus on Data, Partner Private Firms to Revive Growth

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, which lacked the financial wherewithal to participate in the recently concluded spectrum auctions, is confident about the next round, as it goes about putting its house in order.

“We missed the voice bus and, therefore, we could not progress, made losses… We lost those six years (between 2006 and 2012), but now we want to make sure that our network is strong enough to retain customers,” said Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman and Managing Director, BSNL.

BSNL’s last ditch effort to revive its landline phones has paid off

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has managed to revive the popularity of its once revered landline phones to a considerable extent through a single scheme. There was a time when BSNL, through its landline phones dominated the telecom market across the length and breadth of India but the reliance of Indians on mobile phones was responsible for the decline of BSNL’s landline phones in terms of popularity.

Free wi-fi at Taj from June 16

Thursday, June 04, 2015, Agra: Tourists visiting the Taj Mahal will be able to enjoy 30 minutes of free Wi-Fi usage from June 16. For every additional hour, Rs 30 would be charged. The project is a part of the Central government’s ‘digital’ initiative.  According to sources, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has collaborated with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for this service.

BSNL will offer free national roaming from June 15, says Prasad

The State-owned BSNL will offer free incoming calls on roaming from June 15, Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today at a press meet in Delhi marking one year of the Modi government..

“BSNL will start offering free national roaming from June 15. It’s already on the recovery path,” added Prasad.

All Set to Start for a New beginning of BSNL, Be a BSNL Customer

Modiji’s Team as promised are sticking to the plan to revive BSNL. After a year of rule by the new government, we all can see the visible development within the company BSNL in terms of infrastructure procurement and establishment. On the day one of taking the charge as telecom minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad told that he is going to revive both BSNL and MTNL. The development for this year, you can see in stats rather than words and encourage every indian to be apart of BSNL.