The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : New plans to woo more cellphone subscribers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 05, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

New plans to woo more cellphone subscribers

By N. Ravi Kumar

CHENNAI, SEPT. 4. It seems to be a case of the more the merrier for mobile phone subscribers, at least for those with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Airtel in the State.

The two service providers, in both the Chennai and Tamil Nadu telecom circles, have unveiled plans, which are driven by a growing subscriber base and are aimed at attracting more into their fold.

The BSNL, whose mobile subscriber base in the State is estimated at over seven lakhs, has announced a slew of facilities for corporate customers of its CellOne post-paid connections.

It has decided to withdraw the Rs. 50 roaming charge for subscribers under Plan-225 and to offer a Rs. 25-loyalty discount to customers who have been using the plan for more than six months.

The virtual private network (VPN) services for corporate customers, hitherto available only to those using Plan-325 and Plan-525, will be offered to other post-paid subscribers too. Corporate customers can opt for different post-paid plans and continue to be in the VPN.

According to a Tamil Nadu Telecom Circle release, the Rs. 50 roaming charge for Plan-140 is being waived for corporate customers who apply for the VPN service. The corporate connections are provided to groups of five and above who apply in the name of their company.

SMS to cost more

The BSNL has, however, increased the SMS (short messaging service) charges for those under its Plan-140, with effect from September 1.

A local SMS (of 160 characters or less) costs 60 paise, up from 40 paise. The cost of a national SMS and messages sent while roaming has gone up from 80 paise to Re. 1. The Tamil Nadu Circle and the Chennai Telephones area are a single entity for mobile tariff.

Airtel, mobile phone service of Bharti, whose subscriber base in the State in early August was nearly seven lakhs, has embarked on a coverage expansion programme.

450 new sites

According to P. Swaminathan, chief executive officer and director (Mobility) south hub of Bharti Cellular Limited, 450 new sites will be added in three months in the State to ensure better coverage, improved clarity and fewer call drops.

Many of the `uncovered' areas will come under coverage on commissioning of the new sites. Now the company has 730 sites, including 230 in Chennai alone. The 500 sites in the State, cover 180 towns.

Airtel's expansion plan, says Mr. Swaminathan, is driven by the market dynamics in which the service provider cannot wait for subscriber accretion. ``The response time has to be fast.'' He expects that the mobile tariffs will fall further as traffic goes up.

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