BSNL launches 3G services in 11 cities

State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) today commercially launched its third generation (3G) mobile services simultaneously from 11 cities, namely, Agra, Ambala, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Dehradoon, Shimla, Lucknow, Ranchi, Durgapur, Haldia, Patna and soft launch in Jammu.

BSNL also announced tariff plans for 3G mobile services under pre-paid and post-paid voice, video and data plans. The voice call will be available for as low as 10 paise per minute under full value 1,000 plan and local SMS is at Rs 10 paise per SMS under super 1,350 plan. Video calls starting with Re 1 under unlimited 2,500 plan and Rs 2 for STD video calls.

Earlier this week, BSNL had launched its 3G services in Chennai. The 3G services will bring high quality voice services along with high speed data and video services. The data speed is expected to go up to 2 Mbps or higher. Applications like, video telephony, mobile, broadband, mobile television and video on demand shall be offered to the consumer with immediate effect. It is expected that services like music downloads, video tones, instant messaging, on line gaming, bill payment among others will be offered shortly.

BSNL has invested Rs 2,700 crore to make 3G services available to the consumers of this country. BSNL has planned to cover all district headquarters and important commercial towns in its first phase.

Subsequently, other cities and towns will be covered as per the experience of its first phase.

Last month, another state-owned unit, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) was the first company to launch 3G services in the country. MTNL now offers 3G services in Delhi, and is expected to launch services in Mumbai and other operational areas soon.