The Hindu : Business : BSNL targets Rs. 500 cr. from content-based services

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Saturday, Jun 25, 2005

Business

Business

BSNL targets Rs. 500 cr. from content-based services

Subscriber base swells

— Photo: Sandeep Saxena

A STAR IN THE GALAXY: The Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL, A. K. Sinha, with filmstar Amhishek Bachchan, launching the portal game of `Sarkar' — exciting videos on CellOne service in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI: Eyeing Rs. 500 crore revenue from content-based value-added services this fiscal, public sector telecom giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) on Friday forayed into film-based content with the launch of a game, based on forthcoming movie `Sarkar', for its CellOne subscribers.

The content of `Sarkar', a Ram Gopal Varma film starring superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, is being provided by wireless solutions firm MAUJ, which has a tie-up with BSNL.

"Our value-added services include both voice-based and SMS-based services, being offered on CellOne Home portals — CellOne Galaxy and CellOne Safari. Access to CellOne GPRS portal would be free from June 24," BSNL Chairman and Managing Director, A. K. Sinha, said at a press conference here.

BSNL earned Rs. 50 crore revenue from its content-based services last fiscal. "This year, we are targeting ten times increase to reach Rs. 500 crore on the back of expansion in the gamut of these services," BSNL Director (Marketing), Anil Jain, said at the launch, where Mr. Abhishek was present.

BSNL's content-based services include video on demand, interactive gaming, live and time shifted TV besides others.

Mr. Sinha announced that henceforth, BSNL would not charge Rs. 199 activation fee for GPRS connection, which gives subscribers access to faster data speeds.

Mr. Jain said BSNL's cellular service CellOne saw 78 per cent growth in subscribers last year. "We plan to add 40 lakh mobile users every quarter during this financial year," he said,

"Downloads form a significant part of revenues and nothing connects with the common man as Bollywood.

"Film-based games and content are a rage and the game `Sarkar' is another step in that direction," Mr. Sinha said.

The Chief Operating Officer of MAUJ, Arun Gupta, said tie-ups with Bollywood production houses and cellular operators would take mobile entertainment experience to a new level. — UNI

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