BSNL plans pre-paid upgrade

With Durga Puja round the corner, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) was going all out to launch a product for BSNL pre-paid connections in Kolkata.

The user of a pre-paid BSNL connection in Kolkata cannot use a BSNL recharge voucher bought in any other state.

This was because the BSNL marketing codes for recharge vouchers in different states were different. Before Durga Puja this year, BSNL planned to start a toll free number where irrespective of the state, users could call a toll free number from a BSNL mobile phone and through a Docking system, trace the BSNL landline number.

The money would be charged on the BSNL landline bill while the BSNL mobile would get recharged.

"So even if the user was outside Kolkata, he can recharge the mobile by calling the toll free number from anywhere in India," explained S Chakraborty, CGM, Calcutta Telephones.

Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) recently signed an agreement with BSNL for MPLS-VPN (multi protocol label switching - virtual private networks) based corporate network to connect DVC's four thermal power stations to six sites in Kolkata.

The project cost is estimated at Rs 4.3 crore.

DVC's thermal power projects in Bokaro, Chandrapura, Mejia, Maithon (operational head quarters), Durgapur and Kolkata would now be connected using MPLS-VPN of BSNL.

A K Barman, chairman of DVC, said, "This tie-up with BSNL would enable video conferencing through all our project stations."