The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Bundled offers for BSNL mobile and broadband users

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Bundled offers for BSNL mobile and broadband users

Special Correspondent

Freebies on offer for broadband connections

Prepaid mobile customers will get 15-month validity with Beetel’s handset
HCL’s PCs are being offered with broadband connections at concessional rates

Bangalore: The Bangalore Telecom District of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) launched “bundled offers” on mobile handsets and on its broadband connections. The offers have been made in association with Beetel, the handset manufacturer and HCL, the PC assembler.

While BSNL will offer its prepaid mobile consumers with a 15-month validity with Beetel’s handset, those who purchase specified models of HCL’s desktop PCs and laptops will be offered broadband connections at concessional rates.

Mobile models

Two models of Beetel’s mobile are on offer — the monochrome display model will cost Rs. 1,125 and the colour display model will cost Rs. 1,500. Chief General Manager of BSNL Karnataka Circle T.S. Kuppuswamy, said the bundled offer is targeted at those who are seeking a low-cost mobile handset who can “get going as soon they purchase the handset”.

Mr. Kuppuswamy said the bundled offer on broadband connections will drive PC penetration in the State. He said the offer is attractive because BSNL will not charge rent for the modem; it will also waive registration and installation charges. Customers need pay only pay Rs. 199 a month for the popular broadband Plan 250 which normally costs Rs. 250 a month for other BSNL subscribers. HCL is offering PCs priced between Rs. 21,000 and 24,000 (excluding taxes), depending on the system configuration. It is also offers two models of notebooks priced at Rs. 17,000 and 29,000. It will also offer two options — outright purchase or finance arranged by banks and non-banking financial companies.

Mr. Kuppuswamy said Public Call Offices (PCO) running on fixed wireless telephones (FWT) are already available on demand and that a pre-paid scheme will be launched in early September. He also said landlines on FWT are already available; a prepaid option will be launched next month. BSNL is also offering two months of free dial-up Internet service to landline subscribers, starting on September 1. Subscribers need only pay the telephone usage charges while they are in dial-up mode; access charges will be waived during this period.

Tower strength

Mr. Kuppuswamy said the Circle’s mobile phone capacity of 12.5 lakh connections “is likely to be added shortly”. BSNL also plans to double its network of towers from the current level of 850 towers. Half of these are ready and the other half will be erected in rural areas, he said.

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