PCOs in K`taka to become value-added kiosks

BSNL partners Intel, ItzCash to turn them into information centres.

State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is converting the public call offices (PCOs) in Karnataka into information and transaction kiosks with multiple service offerings like web browsing, easy recharge of mobile phones, ticket bookings.

BSNL has entered into an understanding with chip maker Intel, multi-purpose pre-paid card firm ItzCash Card and Karnataka PC Owners’ Association to launch the initiative.

Dubbed as ePCOs, the kiosks will have a PC, a webcam and printer with broadband connectivity. In addition to a landline with STDôISD facility for voice calls, the ePCO will enable customers to access information through the Internet, chat, e-mail and conduct video-conferencing.

In the first phase, BSNL plans to have at least one ePCO in each of the 29 districts across the state, on a pilot basis. The existing PCO operators having BSNL connection will be given a rental-free broadband link to convert their booths into e-kiosks.

“The ePCOs will have a full-fledged information system with a PC, a webcam, a broadband link and a printer to provide a host of online services in English and other Indian languages,” said BSNL Karnataka circle chief general manager T S Kuppuswamy.

He said customers who are not computer-literate can now purchase bus, railway and airline tickets at a nominal service fee from any ePCO, using a multiple pre-paid card provided by ItzCash.

Going forward, ePCOs will also be permitted to transact utility payments for water, electricity and telephone. They will also be equipped to re-charge mobiles, sell insurance and banking products, and offer online transactions for cinema tickets, cable subscriptions and video communication.

Intel India, as part of its corporate social responsibility, will structure the rollout of ePCOs and provide course material to train PCO owners free of cost.

“India has the opportunity to use low-cost technology solutions for the masses. The e-initiative is in line with our objective to extend industry support to accelerate broadband connectivity in rural India as an economic growth driver,” said R Ravichandran, sales director, Intel South Asia.

The PCO owners in the state are battling to retain profitability with the penetration of mobile phones and increasing use of cyber cafes by the customers. Presently, there are about 400,000 PCOs operating in the state as against one million PCOs operating in the state a decade ago.

Karnataka PCO Owners’ Association president S V Rajendra said the e-initiative would not only prevent the closure of PCOs, but also generate employment opportunities to thousands of educated youth in semi-urban and rural areas in the state.