Hutch joins hands with DoP in UP

In a first of its kind initiative, the private telecom operator Hutch has joined hands with the Department of Post, Uttar Pradesh Circle, to take mobile telecom services to the masses of the state.

The association is in form of a private-public partnership (PPP). This was informed by Neelam Shrivastava, chief postmaster general, UP Circle, along with Rohit Adya, chief executive officer (CEO), UP West, Hutch and Shankar Bali, chief operating officer, UP East, Hutch, yesterday in Lucknow.

"Access to mobile services in rural areas is a challenge. This alliance between the postal department and Hutch is a unique example of how PPP can leverage their respective strengths and help in the development of the industry," Bali said.

This initiative is seen as a step forward by the leading telecom operator in the state to restore its position and expand its area of operation. The coverage offered by the postal department will definitely result in its penetration in the rural areas of the state.

Hutch will be utilising the wide network of post offices across UP for customer service; sale of pre-paid and post-paid connections as well as pre-paid recharges and post-paid delivery collections.

"There are about 1,700 post offices in the state and they all will be attached to the new partnership model by the next year. Training of officials from the postal department is already underway for disseminating Hutch services to their customers," Shrivastava said.

The telecom operator will use the space in select post offices for commissioning of its self-service kiosks and PCO units.

While the urban post offices will provide dedicated counters for Hutch services, the rural post offices will have shared counters for providing both postal services and Hutch services.

The service will be made operational in about six general post offices in the coming few months.