discussed.

The socio and economic profile of the sample respondents are also
discussed.

CHAPTER III

TELECOM PRODUCTS AND THE BSNL SERVICES

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The Indian Telecom had four Public Sector Unit, Bharat Sanchar Nigam

Limited (BSNL), Indian Telephone Industries Limited (ITI), Mahanagar

Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and Telecommunications Consultants India

Limited (TCIL), four other units, Wireless Planning and Coordination wing

(WPC), Telecom Engineering Center (TEC), Controller of Communication

Accounts (CCA), and Vigilance Telecom Monitoring (VTM) cell and one

Research and Development Unit, Center for Development of Telematics

(C-DoT).

3.2 TELECOM PRODUCTS

1. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)

BSNL is a Public Sector undertaking with an authorised share capital of

Rs. 1,000 Billion and paid up capital of Rs. 500 billion. It is one of the largest

Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in the country and is a technology oriented

company with a mandate of providing all types of telecom services. BSNL has

largest telecom network in the country, and operates the telecom services in all the
circles of the country except Mumbai and Delhi where another Public Sector

Undertaking viz., MTNL is operating. BSNL has introduced Cellular Mobile

service (GSM based) and mobile telephones based on WLL technology in its

network during 2002 – 03. BSNL as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides a

full range of internet services through National Internet Backbone (NIB), and

introduced Intelligent services and Internet Telephony Service. In pursuance to

the Broadband Policy 2004 of the Government, BSNL introduced broadband

services by the name “Data One”. The first and foremost vision of BSNL is to

provide world telecom services ranging from plain telephone service to all types

of value added services at affordable prices while ensuring operations with

customer orientation.

2. Indian Telephone Industries Limited (ITI)

Indian Telephone Industries Limited is India’s pioneering venture in the

field of telecommunications. Estabilished in 1948, this premier PSU has

contributed to over 60 percent of existing national communication network. With

state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities spread across five location viz., Bangalore

Plant, Mankapur Plant, Reabareli Plant, Pallakkad Plant and Srinagar Plant.

3. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)

 Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) was formed on April 1,

1986 and was incorporated as a Limited Company to manage & control

telecommunication services (excluding telegraph services) in the two metropolitan

cities of Delhi & Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Thane Municipal

Corporation. For Cellular services, the company has the license to provide the

service in Delhi including the peripheral towns of Gurgaon, Faridabad,

Ghazhiabad & Noida and in Mumbai including Kalyan. MTNL is providing

Internet Service in Delhi and Mumbai under separate non – exclusive license

agreement.

4. Telecommunication Consultants India Limited (TCIL)

On March 10th , 1978 Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL)

was incorporated as a wholly owned Government of India company. The

company was set up with the objectives with DoT to friendly developing

countries. On August 1, 1978, the company commenced its business. The

company has since then been engaged in adopting world class communication and

IT technologies for catering to the local needs of countries mainly in the

developing world. The company is establishing itself in the changed Telecom &

IT scenario by successfully taking up and executing wireless networks and

Information Technology Projects.

 Company is undertaking projects in all the fields of Telecommunication

and IT in India abroad. The core competence of the company is in Network

Projects in all the fields of Telecommunications and IT in India and abroad. The

core competence of the company is in Network Projects, software support,

switching and transmission systems, cellular services, Rural Telecommunications,

optical fiber based backbone network, CDMA based basic service networks,

Billing, Mediation and customer care systems for different telecom services. The

company is also diversifying into other business areas such as optical fibre on

ground wire for power utilities, e-governance for state Governments in India,

communication system for Airport Terminals & Light houses, construction of

intelligent buildings, cyber parks, roads etc.

5. Wireless Planning And Coordination (WPC)

The Wireless Planning and Coordination wing in the Department of

Telecommunications deals with the policy of spectrum management, wireless

licensing, frequency assignments, international coordination for spectrum

management and administration of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (ITA, 1885) for

radio communication systems and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 (IWTA,

1933).

6. Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC)

 Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC) is an institution in terms

of instructions issued by Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet and works

as a part of Department of Telecommunications. Its Headquarter is at New Delhi

with Regional Centres at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore and

Hyderabad.

7. Controller Of Communication Accounts (CCA)

With the formation of the BSNL from 01.10.2000 a need was felt to

establish units in each Circle Headquarters to disburse the retirement benefits to

the BSNL retirees. The Controller of Communication Accounts (CCA) is

responsible for the settlement of terminal benefits i.e. issue of Pension Payment

Order authorization of Payment of Commuted Value of Pension, gratuities,

recovery of Pension Contribution, recovery and accounting of long term advances

taken by the employees while working in the Government. The CCAs are also

responsible for recovery of license fee and spectrum charges from various Service

Providers in the telecom sector. After the setting up of universal service

obligation, the CCAs are also responsible for scrutiny of the claims of various

operators to enable the Administration (USO) to disburse funds to the appropriate

service providers.

8. Vigilance Telecom Monitoring Cells (VTMC)

 With the increasing number of telephone operations in the country the

Government felt the need of Presence of the Telegraph Authority in the Circles,

with the entry of the private operators, there has also been an increase in

illegal/clandestine operation in the country. To tackle this Menace, presently the

Government has created the Vigilance Telecom Monitoring Cells (VTMS) at

Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. They represent the licensor/Telegraph

Authority in the field and coordinate with all the Service Providers to curb

illegal/clandestine operations within the country. The responsibilities of these

cells include Vigilance and Technical Monitoring of all Telecom Service

Providers. Presently the Government has opened two numbers (1-600-110-420)

(Toll free) and 2373-1100) on which any subscriber can give information on

international calls where the Calling Line Identification (CLI) is not correct.

Advertisements have also been given in the leading newspaper for creating

general awareness among the public so that they actively help in providing

information on international calls received with incorrect Calling Line

Identification (CLI). Vigilance Clearance is an important activity of the Vigilance

Wing because it is required at the time of promotion, trainings abroad, deputation

to other Organizations/ Departments, obtaining passports etc. During the period

April-Nov 2005, 6745 officers were granted vigilance clearances for various

purposes.

9. Centre For Development of Telematics (C-DOT)

 Centre for Development of Telematics was established by the Government

of India in 1984 as an autonomous body with the objective of developing a new

generation of digital switching systems. Progressively the scope was extended to

include transmission access and other software application projects to offer total

solutions for the nation. Since its inception, C-DOT has developed a wide range

of switching and transmission products for the rural and urban applications. C-

DOT Main Automatic Exchange can connect up to 40,000 subscribers and

supports features like Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Intelligent

Network (IN), V5-X interfaces. The medium capacity exchange SBM RAX also

supports all these state-of-the-art features. The C-DOT main exchange can also

function as mobile switching centre for GSM cellular service. The small rural

automatic exchange has been developed for rural environment and can work

without air-conditioning. C-DOT has also developed an integrated Time Division

Multiple Access-Point to Multi-Point (TDMA-PMP) for serving 256 subscribers

sparsely distributed within a radius of 20 km. Some of the other products

developed by C-DOT include ATM switch and Multiplexer, NMS for multiple

switch and transmission equipment technologies, optical amplifier, 2/8 and 2/34

optimux and compact STM-1 synchronous multiplexer. Network Management

System, Operation Support System and INSCAP nodes are the other software

intensive applications, which C-DOT has developed.

3.3 BSNL SERVICES

BSNL is the only service provider, making focused efforts and planned

initiative to bridge the Rural-urban Digital divide ITC Sector. In fact there is no

telecom operator in the country to beat its reach with its wide network giving

services in every nook and corner of country and operators across India except

Delhi and Mumbai. Whether it is accessible areas of siachen region and north

eastern region of the country. BSNL serves its customers with its wide bouquet of

telecom services.

Vision à To become the largest telecom service provider in

South East Asia

Mission à To provide world class state of art technology

telecom services on Demand
Objectives à To be a lead Telecom services Provider

3.3.1 Land line phone services

BSNL’s land line telephones are offered under the brand name bfone. In

the past land line telephone was used only to make and receive calls. With the

introduction of digital exchanges BSNL offers a variety of services for the

convenience of the customers.

Phone Plus Services

BSNL offers a host of phone plus services, converting the basic telephones

to a sophisticated tool which can be used for a variety of application. All the

phone plus services are available at free of cost from 22nd January 2003 on wards.

1. Dynamic Locking

This system avoids misusing the telephone in the absence of the customer.

This locking system can bar STD, ISD and Local Calls. It works on a 4 digit

secret code, which can be changed as often as needed.

2. Call Waiting

This facility indicate that the another incoming call is waiting when the

Telephone is engaged. An incoming call is indicated by a special beep tone. At the

same time complete secrecy of the conversations is maintained.

3. Abbreviated Dialing

Under this method no need to dial 8-12 digits for frequently calls numbers.

Short code can be assigned to them. For out station numbers, code can be assigned
for the Telephone number along with STD/ISD code. Codes to be used are

01 to 20.

4. HOT Line

Under this system the telephone is connected directly to a pre-determined

Number as soon as to lift the hand set even without dialing. The number of

customer choice can be programmed by the exchange staff at his request. After

doing so if the customer lift the telephone and do not dial with in 5 seconds, it will

be automatically connected to the Programme number.

5. Call transfer/ Call forward.

The customer is speaking to someone or he is in out of station or any other

location he can be forwarded the incoming call to the telephone of customer

choice.

6. Automatic wake up/ reminder call services

When the customer wants to be given reminder at a specific time, no need

to depend on any body. He can use wake up service. This facility allows the

customer to initiate a call automatically by the exchange at a fixed time specified

by the customer of the telephone.

 7. Call hunting service

If the customers have more than one telephone lines in the same address

and when one number is engaged, the incoming call can be transferred to one of

the free telephones automatically. The caller need not disconnect and dial the

other number. Facility is provided by the exchange on written request.

8. Caller Line Identification Presentation [CLIP]

The subscriber has to buy separately the CLIP display device from market.

Using this facility he can see the number of calling party before lifting the

telephone. It is very useful to trace malicious caller. However, the CLIP

instrument shall be procured and installed by the users them selves.

9. Phone Bell Checks

Dial 161/162 and replace hand set. The Phone will Ring very soon. This

System helps to check and adjust the volume of the ring tone.

10. Call Conferencing

Telephonic conference can be set up within 3 or more parties. This service

is available subject to technical feasibility.

11. Voice based value added Services

 All land line subscribers can access voice based value added services for

dialing the code for eg. Tamilnadu – the code is 12555.

The Services are ,

v Download Ring Tones

v Cricket information

v News

v Jokes

v Results of Major Examination.

3.3.2 Connection Facilities

BSNL offers telephone connections under nine main categories.

1. Non OYT (Own Your Telephone) General

This Scheme is open to all. In this Scheme initial deposit carries interest

up to the date of provision of telephone for every completed calendar month.

2. Non OYT (Own Your Telephone) Special

This scheme is allotted to the professional people, namely, Doctors,

Advocate, eminent persons of state, national or international recognizes, public,

institutions, registered news agencies, Government Schools ,Colleges, social

organization, disables soldiers, senior citizen and Ex-service man.

3. Oyt (own your Telephone) General

This scheme is open to all in this scheme is allowed to all the applicants on

Payment of initial oyt deposit, a rebate in the monthly or bi-monthly is allowed or

20 years.

4. Oyt (own your Telephone) Special

This Scheme is allotted to Groins exchange ear hers like manufacturers or

exportable goods, individual and organizations, Government Department and

statutory Bodies.

5. Oyt ( own your Telephone) SWS (Swatantra Senani)

This scheme is allotted to freedom fighter or widow of freedom fighter

subject to condition prescribed for this category, installation and registration

charges are waited 50 percent concessions all rentals is allowed

6. Tatkal Scheme
 This scheme is given for highest priory. Under this scheme new telephone

connection is provided within two weeks after payment of non interest bearing

deposit of Rs. 30,000. Application submitted along with initial- deposit of Rs.

1000 and the remaining Rs. 29,000 is collected only if telephone connection is

technically feasible. If connection is technically not feasible, initial deposit Rs.

1000 is refunded. Normal rent is allowed. It is not eligible for third party transfer

during first three years

7. Permanent Connections

Telephone connections are available on demand in majority of the

Exchange. The connections are provided subject to technical feasibility and

Genuineness of the applicant.

8. Temporary Connections

Temporary connections are provided for short period for emergency,

requirements are purely temporary nature. Temporary connections are to be

provided for a maximum period of 3 months at a time in the case of private

individuals and 6 months at a time in the case of Government officers. The

charges for the entire period along with Security deposit, installation charges and

rentals will be collector in advance.

9. Casual Connections
 Casual connections are provided to applicants for social, or religious

functions, marriages, exhibitions etc., for a period for not exceeding 30 days.

3.3.3 Value Added Services

In recent times, the telecommunication service has undergone a paradigm

shift from the mere voice telephony to multimedia functions like image, video and

graphics on line. The phenomenal growth of telecommunication industry and the

development in computer technology have given a new dimension to customer

oriented services. The single voice telephony of the olden days has in recent times

developed in to a multifaceted facility which any subscriber can avail, using his

telephone line called as “Value Added Services” (VAS), meaning more value has

been added to the existing infrastructure of a single telephone line earning on

which has multiplied. Value added services has been felt and seen by all. Basic

knowledge of value added services is inevitable to understand the fast changing

scenario.

1. Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

ISDN is a network that provides end-to-end connectivity to support a wide

range of services including voice and non-voice services. Users can have access
using a limited set of standard multipurpose customer interfaces. As the Internet

has come already into India, the introduction of ISDN is only appropriate, to serve

the high profile customer in an economical way. The customers in India have been

made to wait till 2006 for ISDN due to technological infrastructure set back. Now

in all the major cities, DOT has commissioned new technology switches with

ISDN capabilities by importing equipment from advanced countries like

Germany, France and Japan.99

ISDN has emerged as a powerful tool by providing different services such

as telephone, Fax, data communication, image and pictures transmission to

respond quickly to the needs and expectations of the common subscriber and the

business community.

2. Intelligent Network(IN)

Intelligent network is communication services control architecture, which

provides a framework so that the network operator can introduce there new

services as per demand, more efficiency than the existing network architecture. In

fact all the features of multimedia can be exploitable with IN. A large data base is

used with the help of digital signaling and switching techniques to meet the

demand of high profile customers and service providers. ISDN subscribers can

99
Ganesan,.A., Value Added Services in Telecom, Meenakshi Publishers and
Sellers, Chennai, 2009, p.1.
have additional services built into the IN platform as and when required. The call

to IN subscribers terminate on a normal telephone. They should have in addition,

a computer terminal with which they can modify certain parameters of the

services depending network

Intelligent Network (IN) provides a framework to create various services in

a centralized place independent of the switch. In Intelligent network, calls

generated by a subscriber are router to the nearest service switching points, which

in turn, consults, the Service Control Pint (SCP) on high speed CLS7 links to get

the necessary information for further routing of the call. It can be used by

subscriber connected to any type of exchange using existing telephones.

Services of Intelligent Network

a) Premium Rate Service

A subscriber to this service can receive or make calls using his Universal

Personal Number [UNP] from any BSNL Phone. The subscriber will be given

some management codes and password. Using that he can convert or recover any

BSNL phone into his universal personal number. All the calls made by subscriber

using his UPN will be billed at his UPN by the Intelligent Network Platform. The

subscriber will be able to get all his calls incoming on the UPN number any where

in India. The Premium Rate service is accessible only through Indian Telephone

Card (ITC).
 b) Free Phone Service (FPS)

This service is an ideal business promotion tool for business communities

Who want their customers to call them free cost. Totally customer oriented

organization can provide information about their products, allow customers to

place orders or even register their complaints or suggestions and offer assistance

to customers without the user getting charges.

Any user in the telephone network can call the FPH number free of charge.

All the charges are levied on the service number for the calling user the calls are

free by charge. For same FPH number the subscriber can have many destination

numbers.

Any subscriber who is willing to become a free phone subscriber outside

the cities where the Intelligent Network Switches are installed the call charges

will be as per the national STD tariff.

c) India Telephone Card Service [ITC]

It is a prepaid facility for making Local, STD or ISD calls from any

Telephone. The calls are charged to the secret number specified in the card and

not to the telephone connection being used. Equipped with this card, the customer

can enjoy the freedom of making calls anywhere, anytime, from any telephone.
India telephone cards are available on sale at all the customer service centers of

BSNL and through its franchises appointed in different cities. ITC card purchased

in one city can be used in any other city where this service is available.

d) Virtual Private Network [VPN]

VPN Service enables subscribers to establish a private network using

public network resources. The Subscriber’s lines connected to different network

switches constitute virtual PABX including a number of PABX capabilities such

as Private Numbering Plan (PNP) , call transfer, call hold etc. Restriction on

incoming and outgoing calls can also be available.

e) Voice Virtual Private Network [Voice VPN]

The Voice VPN service enables the subscribers to establish a private

network using public network resources; the subscribers lines connected to

different fixed line network switches constitute a Virtual PABX including a

number of PABX capabilities such as Private Numbering Plan, call transfer, and

call hold and the like. Restriction on outgoing and incoming calls can also be

imposed.
 The Voice VPN on the fixed lines, through IN platform, is offered in three

categories namely within SDCA, within circle and All India. The charges for this

service shall be split into two parts namely fixed plan charges and usage charges

per minute. The usage charge shall be On-Net and Off-Net. The Off-Net charges

shall be as per the applicable tariff of BSNL.

f) Universal Number [UN]

The service subscriber can be reached nation wide under a unique

intelligent network number. The Calling user will pay the charges up to SSP as

per local or STD rates and the called subscriber will pay from SSP up to

destination. A number of destination numbers can be designated to an UN

number.

g) Universal Personal Number [UPN]

A Subscriber to this service can receive or make calls using his Universal

Personal Number from any BSNL phone. Using this service, the subscribers can

convert or reconvert any BSNL phone into their Universal Personal Number. All

the calls made by subscriber using his UPN will be billed at his UPN by the

Intelligent Network Platform. The subscriber will be able to get all his calls

incoming on the UPN number anywhere in India.

 h) Tele Voting

Through Intelligent Network, the people conducting opinion polls and

surveys using BSNL Network.

i) Inet

Inet change the way of doing business by networking our computers data

terminals hosts and LANs in different offices and manufacturing units both within

the country and outside, through Inet – an X25 based packet switches public Data

Network of BSNL. It provides extremely cost effective and reliable solution to

our high speed wide Area Networking needs. Inet can be used in the following

applications.

ÿ Electronic Mail Services

ÿ Corporate Communications

ÿ Information Retrieved

ÿ Database Services

ÿ Remote Job Applications

ÿ Credit Card Verifications

ÿ Travel Reservations
 ÿ Internet Connectivity

Inet is available at the 102 cities in the country grouped on the basis of

business activity and demand.

3. Multi Protocol Label Switching – Virtual Private Network [MPLS – VPN]

MPLS – VPN is an ideal solution for companies having number of

branches all over the country which require securely data transfer between them.

Each office will be connected to the nearest node. More than 200 nodes are

available across the country. Separate leased lines between the branches are not

necessary. The datas are transferred fast and secured. The network components

and customer premises equipment are installed and maintained by BSNL.

Required bandwidth for specific period in a day is possible.

MPLS based VPNs reduce customer networking complexity, costs and

totally do away with the requirement of in-home technical work force. BSNL has

tied up with various Networking solution providers to provide end-to-end solution

to tits values customers, including Customer End (CE) routers and other

networking components.
4. Internet Service Provider[ISP]

Internet is a network of network. Internet is coined from “Inter” connection

of ‘net’ works. Internet came to India on August 15, 1995 with the commissioned

of Gateway Internet Access Services (GIAS) by VSNL.

The role of the telephone line has changed from the normal voice

communication channel to that of a ‘front door device’ of any corporate for

increasing its competitiveness and customer relations, and for projection a better

concern for the bottom line. Even for an individual a telephone link has now a

new channel to the world of information with the advent of internet, which has

emerged as the most powerful medium in the world to day to breakdown the

distances that separated India from the rest of the world. The effect of

convergence of technologies has finally reached the common man in the form of

Internet. Once monopolized by the VSNL, the Internet Service has now been

thrown open to private Internet Service Providers with the announcement of a new

policy by the Government and the direction given to the DOT. Around fifty

private operators have been factual license till how to separate under three

categories viz.

Category A - Whole of India

Category B - Telecom Circle

Category C - SSAs or Smaller Towns

 The honour of being the first national private ISP goes to satyam info-way

when they inaugurated. The service on November 22, 1998, in Hyderabad.3 the

ISP should be in a position to serve a heterogeneous nature of users in the local

end as the user may access through ISDN line or Simple dial up phone line or

Cable connector or DSL.

5. Global Mobile Personal Communication System (GMPCS)

India has been one of the early and major users of the satellite based

telecommunication technology for the national communication infrastructure. Use

of domestic satellite system (INSAT) for television broad cast,

telecommunication, meteorology and other applications were established quite

long ago. Large number of earth stations spread widely even to remote areas, hilly

terrain and deserts in the country to make a full fledged satellite network100.

The most talked – about telephony of recent times is taking advantages of

the satellite technology to develop a new communication system to provide

communication to and from users locate anywhere on the globe, at any time, with

one single number.

GMPCS, the latest approved system by DOT in India is based on Global

Mobile Personal Satellite System (GMPSS). This is a world-wide wireless

100
Ibid.
communication network built around systems and gateways enabling connectivity

to fixed networks and cellular networks. The important advancement, on which

this personal communication system relies, is that the communicating terminal has

shrunk in size and weight, due to the miniaturization of electronic on digital

techniques to the level of hand held mobile phone. The ultimate ground station is

a hand held wireless phone, basic and enhanced telephone services in high

demand could be made available through this mobile telephone to the remotest

part of the world including hilly terrain, offshore location and deserts.

6. Cellular Mobile Communication (CMC)

It is the most recent advance of mobile communication and also the fastest

growing demand on the telecom network of India. Now a cellular telephone user

in a moving car can use his handset, dial any number and establish a call for voice

data communication irrespective of the region where he is. This enormous scope

is provided by the cellular mobile communication system, which has overcome

the limitations of earlier conventional radio communication such as limited

service capabilities, poor service performance and inefficient frequency spectrum

utilization.

7. Radio Paging
 Radio Paging is a non-speech one-way personal selective calling system

with alert, without message or with defined message such as numeric or

alphanumeric. It is useful to professionals, consultants, doctors, sales and

marketing personal.

8. Electronic Mail

Electronic Mail is the generic mail for non-interactive communication of

Text, data image or voice messages between a sender and designated recipients by

system utilizing telecom links. Thus telegraph telex, facsimile, voice mail and

computer based messaging systems fall within the preview of e-mail. E-mail is

always included by E-mail software.

9. Voice-mail System

Human voice is captured and converted into digital form using computer

hardware and software and then stored in voice mail box in the Disk Memory.

10. Video text

Video text is an interactive computer System where information can be

interchanged by an access to database using communication links. It is a both way

system where the user is entitled to have documents/pictures graphics sent and

received on his terminals

11. Tele text

Tele text is a non-interactive one-way message transmission to the user’s

terminals. It is mainly a telecast system to inform the subscribers of the present

status of say railway reservation, departure/arrival timings of flights etc.

12. HV SAT

It is a high speed satellite based V-SAT network called HV NET. It

provides for high speed data transfers and voice communications coverting the

entire country including remote areas.

3.3.4 Other Services

1.RABMN

Remote Access Business Message Network provides instant data

communication between computers and data terminals. This is a satellite based

network that provides communication to any remote part of India.

2.INMARSAT

Subscriber dialed INMARSAT services from shore to ship, ship to share

and Ships to ship with in Indian region are operational in the BSNL Network.
3.3.5 Cellular phone services

Cellular Services were first introduced as “Value Added Services” to be

provided mainly by private operators. It was probably not anticipated that cellular

services would acquire a status comparable to wire-line services and infact

become a major competitor to wire-line services. The private sector has had a

free-play in this sector with insignificant presence of the government operators.

According to some observers the introduction of “limited mobility” for

WLL may be an attempt by the government operators to capture some of the

growing cellular market. It is the cellular sector, which has provided the important

platform for the private operators to enter other services such as national and

international long distance.101

1. Voice Mail Service (VMS)

The Voice-Mail can be sent or received to or by other subscribers having

this facility. Whenever a Voice Mail is received in Voice-Mailbox, the Subscriber

will receive a SMS on his cell phone. The Voice Mail Service greets the caller and

records a message from the caller. We can retrieve the message later at our

convenience from anywhere in the world. Absolute secrecy is ensured. Voice

101
Competition Policy of Telecommunication, The Case of India, p.15.
Mail can be protected with our own password. Voice Mail can be activated when

the phone is busy, when there is no reply from the telephone, when the phone is in

out of coverage area.

2. Fax Message

The Fax can be sent or received by the subscriber either through BSNL,

VMN account or using Fax machine.

3. E-Mail

The E-Mail can be sent or received to or by the subscriber through BSNL,

VMN account.

4. E-Mail To Speech [ETS]

The Subscriber to receive the E-Mail on the mobile phone. The E-Mail can

be hared by Voice Mail

5. Seamless Roaming
 Whenever we go on roaming call will be forwarded to our cell phone.

Caller does not require STD/ISD facility to call us if the call is made from our

home LSA. All India roaming facility is available for both post and prepaid

customers.

6. Call Forwarding

When we are busy and not in a position to answer our calls, we can

forward our incoming calls to a fixed line or cell phone using the call forwarding

feature. We can also forward an incoming call while speaking to some one.

7. Call Waiting

This feature helps to speak to two callers, one at a time, without hanging up

on either one of them. During this it will be charged air time rate for two calls.

8. Call Conferencing

We can speak to a group of people simultaneously. Maximum of six

persons each call is charged for the time spent on hold one in conference. This
facility can be used on activating call waiting facility. This is a handset dependent

service.

9. Global Pocket Radio Service (GPRS)

This service offers high-speed data services in the mobile network. The

customer those who are having this service can browse internet using handsets,

which support internet browsing. They can also use their E-Mail account.

Browsing of Internet from laptop or Desktop computer is possible by connecting

the computers with Global Pocket Radio Service (GPRS) enabled mobile handset

through data cable or infrared connectivity.

10. Multi Media Messaging Services(MMS)

Multimedia Messaging Service allows Mobile Customer to exchange

multimedia messages. Multimedia means the combination of audio, and video. It

allows sending of multiple media in a single message and also sends a message to

multiple recipients. If the recipient phone is switched of the message will be

stored and sent to recipients as soon as they switch of their handset. If the

recipient has our subscriber for multimedia messaging service he can still view the

multimedia message service through internet based on the short message service

notification he sets.

11. International Roaming

 Cell one Post-Paid customers can obtain International roaming facility.

Roaming over 182 countries and over 302 networks around the world. Monthly

rental is Rs. 99 /-. Call charges depends on network utilized while roaming. The

bill can be paid in rupees.

12. Corporate Virtual Private Networks(doubt)

This facility is available only in corporate customers minimum 5

Connections in corporate name under post paid. All calls made between the

members with in the VPN are free. A single bill in the name of the corporate for

all the connections in the group. Bill can be sent to required address.

13. Web-Hosting Service

Web-hosting Service is provided by the BSNL. It allows customer to host

their static or dynamic websites on BSNL server. It provides basic features like

web-space on servers for hosting HTML pages with browser supporter MIME

types, primary or secondary Domain Name Hosting Server Side Scripting: Perl,

JAVA, Servlets, JSP, Database Access, E-Mail Access, Web E-Mail, Multiple E-
Mail IDs as per the Plan, FTP access for uploading and downloading pages as per

the plan, continuous usage billing for web, messaging and FTP etc.

14. Web Co-Location Services

BSNL Provides Internet services to the customers locator in about 450

locations. Web Co-Location is an easy and cost effective solution to house a

company’s powerful infrastructure without losing the administrative control on

the equipments. It eliminates much of the infrastructure costs of such equipments

apart from avoiding the last mile problems. The customer simply leases the

physical space and high grade tier one network access from BSNL the hosting

provider.

15. SMS and SMS Services

Under this Service the SMS is sent using Sancharnet E-Mail Service.

Sending SMS using Sancharnet account is very easy and cost effective. There is

no need of mobile phone to send SMS.

3.3.6 Internet service

BSNL is India’s number one Internet Service Provider with more than 17

lakh subscribers, providing Internet Service throughout the entire country (except

in New Delhi and Mumbai) under the brand name of “Sancharnet”. Sancharnet
provides free all India roaming and enables it’s users to access their accounts,

using the same access code and user ID from any where in the country. In order to

make Internet available through out the length and breadth of the country. BSNL

has launched “Sancharnet Card” recently. The Sancharnet card is a prepaid

Internet Access Card.

1. PSTN Dial Up Access

BSNL internet service offers flexible options of access plans for PSTN

dialup in various slabs of 25, 50,100,200,500 and 1000 hours with Sancharnet

dialup account we get all India roaming facility, it is not available with any other

ISP because we can access Sancharnet internet by dialing “172233” from any city

in India.

The following Plans are available in PSTN dialup access.

1. Limited access with 4 MB E-Mail Space.

2. Limited access with 10 MB E-Mail Space.

3. Unlimited access with 10 MB E-Mail Space.

2. ISDN

ISDN has emerged as a powerful tool worldwide for provisioning of

different services like voice, data and image transmission over the telephone line
through the telephone network. ISDN is being viewed as a logical extension of the

digitalization of telecommunication network and most developed countries are in

different stages of implementing ISDN.

The following services are provided by the ISDN,

1. Normal Telephone and Fax Service.

2. Digital Telephone Service.

3. Data Transmission at 64 Kbps with ISDN Controller Card.

4. Video conferencing at 128 Kbps and 384 Kbps.

5. Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).

ISDN Provide the following Supplementary Services:

1. Calling Line Identification Presentations [CLIP]

2. Calling Line Identification Restriction [CLIR]

3. Multiple Subscriber Number [MSN]

4. Terminal Portability [TP]

5. Call Hold [CH]

6. Call Waiting [CW]

7. User to User Signaling [UUSI]

3. Leased Line Access

 BSNL provide leased line service to their customer. Leased Line means to

transmit data between computer and electronic information device. It offers

choice of high medium and low speed leased data circuits as well as dial-up lines.

Bandwidth is available on demand in most of the cities. It provides point to point

speech, private wire, tele-printer and data circuits on lease basis. Leased circuits

are provided to subscribers for internal communication between their offices or

factories at various sites with in a city /town or different cities on point to point

basis or on a network basis inter connecting the various sites.

4. Managed Leased Line Network (MLLN)

The managed Leased Line Network is proposed to provide leased line

connectivity with the state-of-the art technology equipment, MLLN is designed

mainly for having effective control and monitor on the leased line so that the

down time is very much minimized and the circuit efficiency is increased

achieving more customer satisfaction. This mainly deals with data circuit ranging

from 64 Kbps to 2048 Kbps.

5. Direct Internet Access [DIA]

 BSNL provides Direct Internet Access in selected cities of the country. The

DIAS offers a wire-line solution for high speed symmetrical Internet access on the

existing telephone lines. It provides an “always on” internet access that is

permanently available at customer’s premises. DIAS combines voice and internet

data packets on a single twisted pair wire at subscriber premises that means we

can use telephone and surf internet at the same time.

6. Account free Internet dial up access

It is a unique method providing Internet service in which the customer can

access the Internet service dial up. The service allows from any telephone through

automatic registration on first LOGIN. The authentication will be based on CLI of

telephone with the password supplied by the caller. The charging is totally usage

based and the service is a post paid service like normal PSTN. The billing will be

separating based on the duration of use and will be charged to telephone bill (CLI

Based) as Internet access charge at the prescribed rate. This service is available in

selected cities.

7. Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi services have been introduced for providing high speed internet

access at convenient public locations hereunder called as Hot Spots. Installation of

Hot Spots is already under process at various cities. Hot Spot Type-A is
applicable for public utility services like Airports, Railway station, Universities

and their Campus and the like, initially for a period of 90 days from the date of its

launch. Hot Spot Type-B is applicable for personal type of services like hotel,

private owned institutes or colleges or libraries and their campuses and prepaid

schemas for Hot Spot type-B owners on commission basis is also available.

8. Broad band service

Broad band connection will be a big money-saved as well as make our

experience more enjoyable. An always one broadband connection is much faster

than dial up. It allows to make big downloads, watch streaming video and listen to

near co-quality music and broadcasts many broadband plans are structured on the

basis of data download rather than time spent online. So the heavy user saves

money. The dial up connection supports data transfer speed up to 56 Kbps where

as a broad band connection offers minimum speeds of 256 Kbps. It is possible to

“Jazz up” copper land lines to offer broad band. It is also possible to offer broad

band on cable.102

Data one is the Broad band service of BSNL. This service is being

provided on existing copper wire infrastructure. In addition to the high speed

Internet services such as VPA, multicasting, video conferencing, video on

102
Pankaj Anup Toppo “Making Haste Slowly”, Outlook money December 15th
2005, p.52
demand, Broad cast application etc, will also be added shortly. Broad band service

is based on DSL Technology. DSL means, Broad band is connected on the same

copper cable that is used for connecting telephone. This provides high speed

internet connectivity up to 8 Mbps. This is always on internet access service with

speed ranging from 256 Kbps to 8 Mbps.

In terms of infrastructure for broad band services NIB-II would put India at

par with more advanced nations. The services that would be supported include

always-on broadband access to the internet for residential and business customers,

content based services, IP Telephony Distance learning, multi-site MPLS VPNS

with Quality of Service (QOS) guarantees. The subscriber will be able to access

the above services through Subscriber Service Selection System (SSSS) Portal.

9. Wi-max

Wimax operates in a manner similar to wi-fi but works at higher speeds,

and covers greater distances. Wimax will possibly erase the suburban and rural

blackout areas that currently lack broadband internet access due to lack of

necessary wire line infrastructure availability.

The wimax system consist of two parts: A wimax tower and wimax

receiver. The wimax tower is similar in concept to a cell phone tower – a single

wimax tower can provide coverage to a very large area of 3000 square miles