Tag: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd

  • BSNL signs IPTV provider Skypro to offer entertainment services to its customers

    BSNL signs IPTV provider Skypro to offer entertainment services to its customers

    MUMBAI:: It’s a connection that they are hoping will work out for the best. State-owned telecoms provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has announced a strategic link up  with IPTV provider Skypro as a part of which it hopes to bring next generation TV  and internet experiences to the telco’s consumers across India.

    A press release states that BSNL’s FTTH  customers will gain free-of-cost access to Skypro’s IPTV services through the Skypro TV app in their smart TVs. The app will offer  500 plus  HD/SD/live channels, 20+ OTT and various other value added services, interactive features, with no set-top required.

    BSNL CGM Punjab circle Ajay Kumar Karaha said – “On 28 November CMD  Robert Ravi launched our new internet TV service, powered by Skypro’s state-of-the-art IPTV platform. This service offers FTTH customers access to popular channels like Colors, Star, Zee, and sports channels like Star Sports, with no need for separate bandwidth and set-top box. After thorough testing, we’re ready to roll it out in Chandigarh, starting with 8,000 customers. We also plan to expand internationally, providing BSNL users with easy access to this exciting new feature.”

    Skypro chief technology officer Pawanpreet Dhaliwal said “ This partnership with BSNL is a proud moment for Skypro as we continue our mission to revolutionise entertainment in India. We are starting from Punjab circle and the service will extend to other circles soon. Our focus has always been on delivering innovative solutions that transform the way people consume content. By joining forces with BSNL, we are combining reliable connectivity with cutting-edge entertainment to make world-class viewing experiences accessible to every home.” 

    “We are excited to partner with BSNL to bring Indians a truly modern and immersive entertainment experience,” added  Skypro business head Nitin Sood. “At Skypro we have been working towards building solutions that bring the quality of the theatre screen in the comfort of your living rooms. This partnership represents a major milestone for us, enabling Skypro to expand its reach and deliver cutting-edge entertainment solutions to a wider audience. By combining our expertise with BSNL’s extensive network, we are setting a new benchmark for home entertainment in India.”

    Skypro claims that its service offers the lowest latency, multi CDN, low bandwidth, low channel zap time and crystal clear viewing experience for the customer.  

    “By joining forces with BSNL, Skypro is stepping into a new era of entertainment,” said Skypro president emeritus Ranjit Singh Sandhu. “This collaboration is a huge leap towards our vision of making premium content accessible to all, combining BSNL’s reliable network with Skypro’s innovative technology to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience that connects and engages audiences across India.“

    To date, Skypro has partnered with over 100+ ISPs across the country, expanding their reach and ensuring high-quality services for users nationwide. Additionally, it is also planning the launch of Oneplay – an online cloud gaming platform. 

    With Oneplay, consumers will be able to stream their favourite games anytime, anywhere, on any device, especially on TVs without the need for high-end gaming consoles with players’ progress securely saved in the cloud for seamless gaming experiences. This service will enable rural India access to high-end games at a fraction of the cost. 

  • TRAI releases telecom subscription data report for 31 July 2024

    TRAI releases telecom subscription data report for 31 July 2024

    Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has published its telecom subscription data report for 31 July 2024. The report revealed that Reliance Jio experienced a decline of 0.7 million users, despite gaining 1.91 million in June. In contrast, state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) saw a significant increase, adding 2.9 million users in July, benefiting from a period when its private competitors raised their tariffs.

    In June, BSNL had lost 0.74 million users, but the subsequent tariff hikes implemented by private operators prompted many users to switch. The three major private players—Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi)—all raised their prices in early July, with BSNL maintaining its existing rates.

    Airtel was particularly affected, losing 1.69 million subscribers in July after previously adding 1.25 million in June. Vi also faced a setback, losing 1.41 million users, although this was an improvement compared to its June loss of 0.86 million. Notably, Vi has experienced ongoing subscriber losses for over a year, until Airtel recently surpassed it.

    The tariff hikes, which occurred around 3-4 July, varied in magnitude; Airtel’s increases were smaller than Jio’s, which ranged from 12 to 25 per cent. These adjustments notably impacted Airtel’s 2G subscriber base, while Jio chose not to alter its pricing in that segment. Meanwhile, Vi has concentrated on offering unlimited data plans with various validity periods ranging from 28 days to a year.

  • TRAI releases Indian Telecom Services-Yearly Performance Indicators report for 2023-24

    TRAI releases Indian Telecom Services-Yearly Performance Indicators report for 2023-24

    Mumbai: TRAI’s Indian Telecom Services-Yearly Performance Indicators report for 2023-24 highlights that gross revenue also saw a modest increase of 0.71 per cent year-on-year, climbing from Rs 3.33 trillion in 2022-23 to Rs 3.36 trillion in 2023-24. Meanwhile, the Applicable Gross Revenue (ApGR) grew by 6.38 per cent, reaching ₹3.23 trillion in 2023-24, up from Rs 3.03 trillion in the previous financial year.

    In 2023-24, the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of telecom service providers grew by 8.24 per cent year-on-year, driven by increased data consumption and consumer upgrades, according to a report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The AGR rose from ₹2.49 trillion in 2022-23 to Rs 2.7 trillion in 2023-24.

    License fees experienced an 8.45 per cent increase, rising from Rs 19,954 crore in 2022-23 to ₹21,642 crore in 2023-24. Conversely, spectrum usage charges (SUC) saw a significant decline of 32.20 per cent, dropping from Rs 4,968 crore in 2022-23 to ₹3,369 crore in 2023-24.

    Among telecom service providers, Reliance Jio recorded a 9.62 per cent year-on-year growth, with its AGR increasing from ₹89,279.39 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 97,868.06 crore in 2023-24. Bharti Airtel posted a 12.12 per cent rise, reaching ₹80,529.33 crore in 2023-24. In contrast, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) reported a 1.92 per cent decline, while Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) experienced a sharp 22.34 per cent decrease, with its AGR falling from ₹785.6 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 610.11 crore in 2023-24.

    The share of public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the access AGR of telecom services decreased to 6.64 per cent in 2023-24, down from 7.04 per cent in 2022-23. The PSUs’ share in such AGR amounted to ₹17,973 crore in 2023-24, compared to Rs 17,605 crore in the previous fiscal year.

     

  • Struggling telco operator BSNL strikes content deal with YuppTV

    Struggling telco operator BSNL strikes content deal with YuppTV

    MUMBAI: State owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and over-the-top (OTT) platform YuppTV have entered into a partnership. Under the signed memorandum of understanding (MoU), Yupp TV content will be made available to both BSNL mobile broadband and fixed line users.

    “BSNL has 120 million users. Yupp brings content on global scale. We will work on a very unique proposition to bring highly rich experience to customer on strong technology backbone. Marriage between infotainment and telecom networks will happen," BSNL chairman and managing director P K Purwar said at the MoU signing ceremony, Mint reported.

    All the major telecom players including Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea have struck deals with almost all major streaming services for betterment of average revenue per user (ARPU). Telco-OTT partnerships have been a noticeable trend not only in India but across the world as it makes a win-win deal for both the parties. Till now, OTT players in India get the largest chunk of subscription revenue from telco deals.

    Purwar said during the ceremony that content is key to drive data consumption and original content is the game of the day. He also added that the bundling proposition will be a compelling one for BSNL subscribers.

    At a time when the once telco king of India is struggling hard to run its operation, this deal marks a move by the public sector unit to retain and grow its subscriber base as the company has been making losses continuously since 2009-10. However, it will also help YuppTV to deliver its content easily to BSNL’s 120 million subscribers.

  • 99% telecom-related plaints resolved on Twitter

    NEW DELHI: About 99 per cent of the complaints have been resolved through social media since the launch of Twitter Sewa in August last year for registration and resolution of complaints.

    According to data released by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, a total number of 27,988 complaints had been received as on as on 15 April 2017 and it had resolved 27,965 grievances with a resolution rate of 99.91%.

    Communications Minister Manoj Sinha having twitter account @manojsinhabjp has been calling for daily status reports on resolution of telecom and postal related complaints received through this platform.

    Similarly, India Post has handled 27,000 tweets and resolved them promptly.

    In case of Telecom, consumer complaints relate mainly to telephone bills, broadband connectivity, faulty connections, shifting of landline phones and wi-fi hotspots, while in the case of postal services complaints are mainly in the nature of slow delivery of their articles containing PAN Cards, Roll numbers, parcels, money orders and medicines etc. Issues relating to repairs of Post Office buildings, technical issues with saving banks accounts are also sorted out quickly.

    Also Read :

    YuppTV makes live streaming easy with Freedocast  

    Sanjeev Kapoor launches mobile app with EscapeX
     

  • Expedite Prasar CEO appointment, govt urged

    Expedite Prasar CEO appointment, govt urged

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati chairman Surya Prakash has written to the government to expedite the selection of a new CEO and member (personnel) in the pubcaster.

    Prakash told the indiantelevision.com that he had sought from the government to ensure the vacancies are filled soon to facilitate decision-making.

    A high-level committee headed by India’s vice-president Hamid Ansari is needed to meet as stipulated in the Prasar Bharati Act 1990 to select a new CEO and other members.

    Meanwhile, member (finance) Rajeev Singh is scheduled to take over as the interim chief executive officer of the pubcaster from 6 February. He succeeds Suresh C Panda who was the member (personnel) and is due to retire on 4 February.

    The decision was taken at a board meeting held recently in Hyderabad. Panda had been appointed as the acting CEO after Jawhar Sircar demitted office on 4 November.

    Singh, who has been serving Prasar Bharati as member (finance) since April 2015, was previously with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd in different roles for a little over nine years. Singh is an engineering graduate from Nagpur University and is a post-graduate in business administration from Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi.

    Singh’s appointment comes at a time when the public broadcaster is all set to revamp Doordarshan by introducing new prime time programming in February following e-auctions for these slots.

    The information and broadcasting ministry had issued an advertisement, calling applications for the post of member (personnel) and received 56 applications.

  • Expedite Prasar CEO appointment, govt urged

    Expedite Prasar CEO appointment, govt urged

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati chairman Surya Prakash has written to the government to expedite the selection of a new CEO and member (personnel) in the pubcaster.

    Prakash told the indiantelevision.com that he had sought from the government to ensure the vacancies are filled soon to facilitate decision-making.

    A high-level committee headed by India’s vice-president Hamid Ansari is needed to meet as stipulated in the Prasar Bharati Act 1990 to select a new CEO and other members.

    Meanwhile, member (finance) Rajeev Singh is scheduled to take over as the interim chief executive officer of the pubcaster from 6 February. He succeeds Suresh C Panda who was the member (personnel) and is due to retire on 4 February.

    The decision was taken at a board meeting held recently in Hyderabad. Panda had been appointed as the acting CEO after Jawhar Sircar demitted office on 4 November.

    Singh, who has been serving Prasar Bharati as member (finance) since April 2015, was previously with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd in different roles for a little over nine years. Singh is an engineering graduate from Nagpur University and is a post-graduate in business administration from Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi.

    Singh’s appointment comes at a time when the public broadcaster is all set to revamp Doordarshan by introducing new prime time programming in February following e-auctions for these slots.

    The information and broadcasting ministry had issued an advertisement, calling applications for the post of member (personnel) and received 56 applications.

  • BSNL offers cheaper data, free calls; Rs 1250 crore subsidy approved

    BSNL offers cheaper data, free calls; Rs 1250 crore subsidy approved

    NEW DELHI: State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) soon plans to reportedly bring a plan which will give neck and neck competition to Reliance Jio. BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava said that the was closely observing Jio’s performance and the market.

    Plans being considered by BSNL are — lifetime free-voice-tariff plans from January 2017 at Rs 2-4 cheaper than Jio’s offering. (Jio’s entry price is Rs 149) Free voice calls to all BSNL users including 3G and 2G. Mobile customers with broadband can also avail this offer. BSNL users can use home broadband to route outgoing mobile calls through the landline network.

    BSNL subsidy

    Meantime, the Indian cabinet has approved a compensation of Rs.1,250 crore for the deficit incurred in operating rural landline connections installed before April 1, 2002. The subsidy support to BSNL will be paid from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The USOF, since inception in 2002, has provided subsidy to BSNL for the rural wireline connections installed prior to April 2002. A total of Rs.8,692 crore has been extended as USOF subsidy support till date.

  • BSNL offers cheaper data, free calls; Rs 1250 crore subsidy approved

    BSNL offers cheaper data, free calls; Rs 1250 crore subsidy approved

    NEW DELHI: State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) soon plans to reportedly bring a plan which will give neck and neck competition to Reliance Jio. BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava said that the was closely observing Jio’s performance and the market.

    Plans being considered by BSNL are — lifetime free-voice-tariff plans from January 2017 at Rs 2-4 cheaper than Jio’s offering. (Jio’s entry price is Rs 149) Free voice calls to all BSNL users including 3G and 2G. Mobile customers with broadband can also avail this offer. BSNL users can use home broadband to route outgoing mobile calls through the landline network.

    BSNL subsidy

    Meantime, the Indian cabinet has approved a compensation of Rs.1,250 crore for the deficit incurred in operating rural landline connections installed before April 1, 2002. The subsidy support to BSNL will be paid from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The USOF, since inception in 2002, has provided subsidy to BSNL for the rural wireline connections installed prior to April 2002. A total of Rs.8,692 crore has been extended as USOF subsidy support till date.

  • BSNL to speed up broadband up to 2 MB at Rs 250 per month

    BSNL to speed up broadband up to 2 MB at Rs 250 per month

    MUMBAI: State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) is planning to give a major push to broadband. The telecom major has decided to increase the speed by almost eight times, providing broadband up to 2 mb at Rs 250 per month.

    The download has been increased by 2.5 times at almost half the cost, the company said. Till now the minimum bandwidth available to broadband customers was 256 Kbps. BSNL has now decided that all the home and business plans will offer data rates up to 2 Mbps, subject to technical feasibility.

    “Under the new plan all the existing 820,000 customers are also being upgraded for the speed up to 2 Mbps, depending upon technical feasibility,” BSNL said.

    The following changes in broadband data rates and downloading limits will come into effect from 1 January. BSNL is going to add the five million port capacity to the existing network of one million ports. “We at present have a 44 per cent market share in this segment. We also hold the prime position as the largest internet service provider of the country,” the company said.

    The downloading limits in home 250 and business 700 plans have been enhanced to 1 GB and 4 GB from 400 MB and 2 GB respectively. The limits in other plans have been suitably enhanced. With the increase in downloading limit, a Plan 250 customer will get a benefit of Rs 840 per month for 1 GB limit and Business Plan 700 customer will get a benefit of Rs 2400 per month for limits up to 4GB.

    BSNL has also decided to bring down the per MB downloading rates from Rs 1.40 per MB to Rs.0.90 per MB in Home 250 plan and the rates have also been lowered in other plans. The BSNL broadband service is available in 597 cities and towns.

    The fixed monthly charges from ADSL modems has been reduced from Rs 100 to Rs 60 per month with effect from 1 December. This will benefit about 800000 customers of BSNL.

    BSNL is already in the process of launching triple play services over broadband in Pune and subsequently in Chennai and Bangalore. It plans to start online gaming services over broadband soon under two categories, Standard and Premium packages, with monthly fixed charges of Rs 100 and Rs 200 respectively.