BSNL to switch over to call-detail-record billing system in 2-3 month

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd plans to switch over to the call-detail-record (CDR) billing system for its 3.5 crore landline subscribers in the next two to three months.

According to a company official the BSNL's landline billing system, which works  on the conventional technology, wants to switch in order to offer customised services to its subscribers. Also, the introduction of the CDR billing system is part of the public sector company's plans to become an information and communication technology (ICT) services provider.

Telephone exchanges spread over 20 major cities across the country would switch over to the CDR system for billing in the next 2-3 month, said the official.

BSNL is carrying out the entire project in a phased manner and over the next 6-8 month, all the exchanges will be connected to the CDR technology

"One of the advantages of the new billing system is that one single bill could be generated for an entire corporate house, and the payments also, accordingly be made from any where in the country," the BSNL official said.
 
In addition, BSNL will  offer various tariff plans to landline customers on the lines of mobile tariff
plans.The company is also looking at providing managed network services (MNS), he added.
 
MNS is a typical progression for telecom operators that have big networks. The telecom operator plans to broaden its IT and telecom requirements, by becoming a one-stop-shop for all  requirements, be it voice, data, application, security or any other such need.

As a part of the MNS, BSNL is in the process of introducing global audio conferencing to its subscribers, within the next four weeks.
 
Audio conferencing is a calling feature that can be used when there are more than two participants or callers.In audio conferencing, the call from both ends is charged as per the local tariffs.