BSNL broadband to get richer with more services

Broadband customers of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) have a lot to cheer about as they would soon be able to enjoy content rich surfing with access to Internet Protocol (IP) and time shifted television, video-on-demand, voice and interactive messaging and next generation gaming.

In the first step towards enriching content, BSNLwill invite Expression of Interest (EOI) from content providers next week on a non-exclusive revenue share basis, and follow it up with tenders, company executives told Business Standard.

The PSU is also set to slash broabband tariffs further and will intorduce a slew of new entry level packages in an effort to garner a sizable numbers to meet the target of a million customers by the year-end.

Two factors, the government's threat that last mile copper would be unbundled if BSNL failed to meet stipulated targets, and the dawning reality that the future of its landline business depends on its broadband services, has resulted in the company shift gears to put the EOI and tender process on a fast track.

Customers can access these value added services by October, company sources said.

Following the launch of its broadband services in Janaury, BSNL currently offers broadband services in 112 cities and has a subscriber base of a little over 80,000.

According to company officials, BSNL has held talks with about 10 domestic consortium for the supply of content, and has also approached various global software including Microsoft for running IPTV services.

Companies or consortiums will have to satisfy three basic criteria, which include the ability to source, deliver and manage broadband content and generate tariffs and billing for the services involved, for qualifying to bid, said a senior executive responsible for broadband business.

In the second phase, BSNL is looking to top up these services with the launch of music on demand, interactive radio, live downloads in addition to tie-ups with popular websites, the executive said .

On tariff reduction, the executive said that entry barriers would be further reduced from the current Rs 499 per month. 'International bandwidth prices are falling, and this will correspondingly reflect on our tariffs. We may explore the option free broadband usage during night hours,' the executive added.