Tech Telecom

State-run BSNL has announced unlimited calling offer for its pre-paid customers along with limited free data usage amid free call offers from private competitors like Reliance Jio.

“BSNL has introduced unlimited local and STD BSNL to BSNL with 300 MB data for only Rs 99 with validity of 28 days for its prepaid mobile customers,” the company said in a statement.

The company may have started its turnaround journey following a number of steps taken by the government and the telco itself, but the public sector unit (PSU) is yet to make profits. Communications Minister Manoj Sinha, in a written reply, informed Rajya Sabha that BSNL’s losses in the April-June quarter this fiscal stood at Rs 1,721 crore, while total income was at Rs 7,331 crore.

BSNL registered loss of Rs 7,019 crore in 2013-14, followed by Rs 8,234 crore losses in 2014-15. The telco’s losses less than halved to Rs 3,880 crore in 2015-16. The turnover has increased from Rs 26,153 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 27,242 crore in 2014-15 and to Rs 28,449 crore in 2015-16, the Minister said, as reported by PTI.

“BSNL has also introduced new combo STV with Unlimited local and STD BSNL to any network with 1GB data for only Rs 339 with validity of 28 days on pan-India basis,” the statement said.

The company is already offering unlimited 3G service for Rs 1099 with 30-day validity. Earlier in the month, incumbent operators Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular made an attempt to match free 4G service of Reliance Jio by launching two identical schemes offering free calls and limited mobile internet use priced at around Rs 150 and Rs 350 with 28 days validity.

“Tariff offered by BSNL are most competitive and is committed to provide affordable and excellent services to our esteemed customers,” BSNL director for consumer mobility RK Mittal said.

These plans come close to proposed Rs 149 plan of Reliance Jio under which it will offer free calls to all network in the country for 28 days without any roaming charges. The plan includes 300 MB 4G data access during day and unlimited usage at night. The main point of difference is BSNL offers unlimited calling only to its own network whereas, Jio offers unlimited calling to all networks in the country.

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