MTNL cuts Dolphin tariffs

MTNL, the state-owned telecom service operator, has brought down the rates for calls made by its GSM (Dolphin) customers which will vary from Rs 0.80 per minute to as low as Rs 0.30 paise per minute across various plans for calls within its own network and from Rs 1.20 per minute to Rs 0.30 per minute for calls to other networks.

While for its pre-paid service, the calls will be charged at Rs 0.90 per minute within its network and Rs 1.50 for call to other network. The new rates are applicable from October 2.

R L Dube, executive director, MTNL Mumbai, said, "our tariff plans are designed to suit varying needs of different segments across the society. These schemes will be applicable to our 2.25 lakh mobile customers'

MTNL has also taken several initiatives to redesign its customer care centres. The company is not only modernising these centres, 80 in all across Mumbai, but also extending its working hours to meet the growing needs of its customers. Besides, it has increased commission of its PCO dealers from 20 per cent to 30 per cent.

"Several initiatives of ours have helped us arrest the surrenders on the landline phones. Although regular surrender of landline phones are registered, we have done exceptionally well in September with the company registering over 6,000 additional/ new connections," said Dube.

This is the first time in several months that MTNL has not only retained its customer base of fixed wired line phones but have given additional connections. MTNL has about 24 lakh FWP connections in Mumbai.

MTNL also launched its broadband services based on ADSL technology. The service will be expanded to accommodate 2.5 lakh customers, and by 2005-06, it will cater to five lakh customers.

"By next year, the company will be the second largest Internet service provider after VSNL" Dube pointed out.

MTNL launched these services in 8 exchanges across Mumbai. MTNL along with BSNL is also offering enterprise solutions to corporates.

It has tied up with 12 corporates including Union Bank of India, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation and ICICI.