It is an exciting news for the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) mobile subscribers. They will soon be able to avail the benefits of free calling. According to this new service, the state run firm is going to roll out a platform that will sync subscribers mobile and landline connections.
Anupam Shrivastava, BSNL Chairman and MD stated that, “We are in the process of rolling out fix mobile convergence platform by Diwali. This will enable consumers avail value added service in mobile phones, make free night calls from mobile phones if they have subscribed to landline and host of other modern facilities."
He also revealed that with this new service, consumers will be able to link their mobile and landline accounts. "The sync between the two accounts will be such that it will enable our subscribers receive their landline calls on mobile phones," Shrivastava said.
BSNL, the telecom industry has launched a free roaming scheme which allows its users to attend free incoming calls while travelling anywhere in the country at no extra cost.
The company has invested over RS.400 crores for the development and modernizing its landlines. As per the reports, the company fallen down to sixth position in terms of overall subscriber base in April. BSNL has been losing customers in telephonic space despite of offering free night calls from landline to any phone in India.
"We have been able to arrest decline rate in landline connections. In a few months and with launch of fix mobile convergence, our landline should turn positive. We have already turned gainer for mobile subscribers under mobile number portability scheme. Many landline users still pay bill at our counter. The counters are open for limited time and between peak office hours i.e. 10am - 2pm. We are partnering with Hitachi. It will install ATM at our premise which will also accept cash. BSNL customers will be able to pay their bills at this ATM as per their convenience," Shrivastava said.
The company has collaborated with Hitachi, ATM business unit, Planning to roll out its services by allowing its customers, who pay bill offline, to make a payment anytime during the day.
The Hitachi ATM machines will be rolled out initially in small cities in March 2016. BSNL will also get revenue share from each transaction made at ATMs installed in its premise.