BSNL's to unveil new J&K plans

Now that it is set to lose its monopoly in Jammu and Kashmir, government-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is planning an overhaul of its installations and equipment, besides extending its reach to remote locations and improving customer care.

According to General Manager (Mobile) M S Dhillon, upgrading installations and equipment is on and in a few months, the job will be completed.

"We are in the process of installing 60 more towers in and around Jammu and 80 in and around Srinagar. Besides, we are upgrading installations so as to optimise utility, which in turn will help in providing better connectivity to the consumers and hindrance-free communication," he said.

Dhillon said by the end of October, 14 additional towers would come up in Jammu.

The J&K circle has got approval to provide 280,000 more mobile phone connections in the next phase of allotment. Of this, Srinagar will have 100,000, while Jammu 70,000.

Ruling out lowering tariffs, Dhillon said, "We offer lowest tariffs, and reducing tariffs is not the best strategy to attract consumers. We will improve services through better customer care and connectivity."

Till date, it is only BSNL that is providing cellphone services in the state And, there are 85,000 mobile phone users now, within a year of the launch of mobile services here. While among the private operators AirTel would be the first to launch services, Reliance and others would follow.

Dhillon said, "Cellone will soon provide GPRS and MMS services. Besides, the cellphone users will also be able to access WAP through their WAP-enabled handsets in a few days. WAP in J&K is currently in the testing stage."