Number portability, opening of 3G market, a challenge for BSNL

Mobile handsets kept for sale at a shop in Kochi, Kerala. The withdrawal of the exemption of 4 per cent special additional duty on handsets manufactured in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) on February 21 this year might jeopardize plans made by mobile handset manufacturers in the country. This special duty waiver would eliminate the cost difference between imported handset and those manufactured at the SEZ's Digital Picture By K_K_Mustafah.22/03/07

In a booming telecom sector, the public sector telecom service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., which turns 10 this year, has fought hard to stay ahead in the race. This, said P. Raghavan, Chief General Manager, Karnataka Telecom Circle, cannot be sustained without stepping up awareness about its various schemes and better grievance redressal.

Intense competition

Speaking at a function to mark the anniversary, he said competition is intense, particularly in a State like Karnataka where at least 10 service providers are fighting for market share. Imminent plans to implement mobile number portability — now slated for November this year — which allows users to change their mobile operators without having to change their phone number, will pose a challenge, Mr. Raghavan said.

Retaining existing customer base for mobile and broadband services and increasing number of 3G users, given that private operators are likely to enter the market soon, will require aggressive marketing drives, he added.

Best deals

Mr. Raghavan called for better awareness of plans offered and pointed out that BSNL's tariff rates were the most competitive, offering the best deals.

A significant step in this direction, he pointed out, would be the adoption of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system from December 1. An ERP software solution will improve the information flow and facilitate better decision making leading to improvement in overall performance of the outfit.

On the occasion, several employees were felicitated.