BSNL making all-out efforts to attract 3G mobile users

The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is making all out efforts to attract mobile users to its recently launched third generation (3G) services in the city limits. Till now, as many as 2,500 customers have taken the 3G connections with more and more enquiries coming in at the BSNL counters.

The officials say that lack of 3G compatibility in most of the handsets being used by the subscribers has become a hurdle to faster penetration of these advanced services. A vast majority of mobile users own basic handsets in the price range of Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,000. In fact, more than 50 per cent of subscribers of BSNL come under this segment, they point out.

BSNL Krishna Telecom District General Manager M. John Chrisostom says that the handsets having compatibility to 3G services presently cost Rs. 7,000 and upwards. The affordability factor is certainly proving to be an obstacle but there is going to be a lot of potential in this service in the future considering the desire among users for video and advanced services.

Of the total 2,500 subscribers who opted for 3G services so far, a majority are new subscribers who have gone in for this service after buying a handset compatible with it. Only about 400 and odd are the existing customers who have migrated to this service.

According to the officials, mobile penetration is huge even among low-income groups, students, young people, women and others. These sections of society mostly use the handsets in the economy range. Some of them even go for used handsets that do not have 3G compatibility.

First phase

The 3G services were launched in the city in the first phase considering their potential here. These services are aimed at providing high speed internet, video streaming, data and such other advanced services.