Chandigarh, June 20
Will the much-awaited mobile phone for the common man — Wireless in Local Loop(WiLL) — become a new battleground for the two basic telecom service providers in Chandigarh?
The answer seems to be yes if the launch of WiLL by the two telecom giants, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Himachal Futuristics Communications Limited (HFCL), is any indication.
While according to official sources, the HFCL has already launched the mobile phone keeping it ‘low-key’, the BSNL’s mobile phone for the common man, would be launched in the next fortnight. In fact, the BSNL has installed the necessary equipment at the Sector 17, Sector 34 and Mani Majra and these base centres will become operational soon.
In the first phase, the BSNL will offer 3,000 phones to the general public and the number could go up depending on the response. Of these, 700 will be mobile phones and 2,300 phones with fixed wireless terminals. The WiLL promises to offer ‘guaranteed’ limited mobility up to an area of 5 to 7 km in Chandigarh and it could also go beyond the specified area, the sources pointed out.
The Principal General Manager Telecom(PGMT) of the BSNL, Mr RC Vaish, when contacted, while confirming the decision to launch the service, informed that the BSNL had fixed the security amounting to Rs 10,000 for the mobile phones. For the fixed wireless terminals, which could be the used by the subscribers while travelling in their cars, amount was yet to be worked out. In fact, the department proposes to make arrangement for the insurance of the mobile sets.
Terming it as a ‘reliable service’ at much lower price, Mr Vaish said that the subscribers would be billed at the local call charges for the outgoing calls while the incoming calls would be free. Besides it would have several subscriber-friendly features. One, the application forms would be given free by the BSNL as against its earlier proposal to charge Rs 10 per application form. Two, the BSNL would set up a single window system for the clearance of the applications to minimise inconvenience to the general public. Besides, the prospective subscribers would be informed about the status of applications either in writing or through telephone.
However, HFCL officials, whose handset costs between Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000, informed that its mobile phone cover the short distance charging area which in effect meant that it could go to up Kharar besides Chandigarh. The HFCL was not selling the mobile phone sets and it could be have from dealers only
Will the much-awaited mobile phone for the common man — Wireless in Local Loop(WiLL) — become a new battleground for the two basic telecom service providers in Chandigarh?
While according to official sources, the HFCL has already launched the mobile phone keeping it ‘low-key’, the BSNL’s mobile phone for the common man, would be launched in the next fortnight. In fact, the BSNL has installed the necessary equipment at the Sector 17, Sector 34 and Mani Majra and these base centres will become operational soon.
In the first phase, the BSNL will offer 3,000 phones to the general public and the number could go up depending on the response. Of these, 700 will be mobile phones and 2,300 phones with fixed wireless terminals. The WiLL promises to offer ‘guaranteed’ limited mobility up to an area of 5 to 7 km in Chandigarh and it could also go beyond the specified area, the sources pointed out.
The Principal General Manager Telecom(PGMT) of the BSNL, Mr RC Vaish, when contacted, while confirming the decision to launch the service, informed that the BSNL had fixed the security amounting to Rs 10,000 for the mobile phones. For the fixed wireless terminals, which could be the used by the subscribers while travelling in their cars, amount was yet to be worked out. In fact, the department proposes to make arrangement for the insurance of the mobile sets.
Terming it as a ‘reliable service’ at much lower price, Mr Vaish said that the subscribers would be billed at the local call charges for the outgoing calls while the incoming calls would be free. Besides it would have several subscriber-friendly features. One, the application forms would be given free by the BSNL as against its earlier proposal to charge Rs 10 per application form. Two, the BSNL would set up a single window system for the clearance of the applications to minimise inconvenience to the general public. Besides, the prospective subscribers would be informed about the status of applications either in writing or through telephone.
However, HFCL officials, whose handset costs between Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000, informed that its mobile phone cover the short distance charging area which in effect meant that it could go to up Kharar besides Chandigarh. The HFCL was not selling the mobile phone sets and it could be have from dealers only
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