BSNL to offer free SMS, lower pulse rate to landline customers
By Our Corporate Bureau | 01 Apr 2004
Hyderabad:
Bharat
Sanchar Nigam has launched free SMS services for its landline
users in Andhra Pradesh and might increase pulse rate
for landline users very soon.
Announcing this, Sanjaya Kumar, chief general manager, BSNL, AP circle, said the SMS service would be available from April 1 free of cost to all landline users across the state and subscribers to BSNL could send and receive messages from anywhere in the country. However, to be able to avail the SMS facility, landline users need to have base sets that support SMS facilities, which cost Rs 2,000 upwards or they could add a small device to their existing instruments.
He also added that by May this year, BSNL would roll out lower pulse rate service for landline users. According to the new scheme, instead of the existing three-minute rate charge a new slab of a one-minute pulse is planned and a user would be billed for the time he actually uses instead of the standard three-minute charge at present. Kumar added there was no plan to change the free calls, but this new pulse rate and free SMS will be an added incentive to people to take up landlines.
BSNL has also launched its latest telephone directory updated up to January 1, 2004.