BSNL installs new switch for Rs 14 cr

The state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has installed a switch in Ahemdabad to control the telephone traffic during nights.

The new Intelligent Network Switch Control Processor (INSCB), installed by France-based mobile company Alcatel at a cost of Rs 14 crore, is expected to reduce the telephone traffic congestion at night for the telephone callers who uses the Indian Telephone Card to make national and international calls.

B K Karecha, Indian Telephone Service, general manager, Gujarat Telecom Circle said, "After the installation of the new switch, BSNL can serve up to 12 lakh subscribers. This is substantially up from the earlier capacity of one lakh calls in one hour."

Karecha said that new INSAB will serve Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.

To retain and enlarge its customer base, the telecom major is offering four packages to its fixed-line subscribers. While BSNL Economy gives 150 free calls with a minimum monthly rental of Rs 350, BSNL Special offers 600 free calls with a minimum rental of Rs 750.

BSNL Super gives 1,800 free calls for a monthly rental of Rs 1,650 and BSNL General package offers 30 free calls for a rental of Rs 250. In addition, as per the instructions of Trai, it is also offering Trai's Standard package for Rs 280 monthly rental.

Regarding BSNL's plans to reach out to the rural areas Karecha said: "We are improving the infrastructure that will cover 800 important towns, roads and highways all over the country soon."