State-run telecom operator Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, which launched its prepaid broadband service in Mumbai today, said it expects to add 2 million broadband connections by the end of 2010.
“We expect to reach the target of providing 2 million broadband connections by 2010,” MTNL’s CMD, R S P Sinha told reporters here. Another leading state-run telecom operator, BSNL had launched a similar scheme a month back.
MTNL’s pre-paid broadband will be available to customers under two plans — Rs 5,999 and Rs 3,999, both carrying a validity of one year. Under the Rs 5,999 plan, customers can avail the benefit of free download of 25 GB, while the second scheme will offer 15 GB free down load. MTNL also has plans to offer a monthly plan for prepaid broadband service beginning from November 20.
With the launch of the new scheme, MTNL expects a 60 per cent growth in broadband connections in Mumbai. “Today, MTNL account for over 90 per cent of the total market in Delhi and Mumbai and it adds Rs 450 crore per annum to our revenue,” Sinha said.
Earlier, MTNL had launched broadband services on the latest technology (ADSL 2+), besides IPTV and VoIP services. At present, the company has 4.4 million mobile subscribers and is adding 600 more subscribers everyday, Sinha said.
In last financial year, MTNL earned Rs 850 crore revenue from the prepaid-broadband segment. “We are not expecting any significant growth this year as the 3G service will not earn much revenues for this financial year,” Sinha said.