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State-run telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will provide Wi-Fi internet services at Puri during the Nabakalebar festival, said a top company official.
"Wi-Fi internet services have already been provided at the Sun Temple, Konark. The work for providing Wi-Fi internet services at Grand Road of Puri is likely to be completed by June end. The internet service will continue after that," Bijoyananda Mishra, chief general manager, BSNL, Odisha region, told media persons.
Officials said, the decision to create Wi-Fi hot spots at Konarak and Puri is covered under a scheme named Adarsh Smarak Yojana of the Centre.
After the Jagannath temple administration denied the permission to create hot spots in the temple premises as there is ban on carrying mobiles inside the temple, the hot spots will be created between Puri temple and Gundicha temple. The revenue model is being worked out for Puri," he added.
Talking on the expansion plans, Mishra said, "As of now there are plans to install 400 more BTS towers during this financial year with an investment of about Rs 60 lakh per tower."
At present, there are about 2,731 2G towers and 1,098 3G towers. BSNL today launched free roaming facility for its mobile prepaid and post-paid customers across India for one year.
For availing this service, the customers do not need to recharge any BSNL roam free STV (special tariff vouchers) as it will be available as a default feature.
"Now BSNL mobile customers do not carry multiple SIMs and handsets during roaming. They are now free to talk as long as they want without worrying for any charges during incoming calls. There will be a revenue loss to the tune of Rs 10 crore in the state due to this free service," he added.
BSNL has about 34 lakh mobile phone users, three lakh landline users and 1.2 lakh broadband users as on March end, 2015.
"We are expecting a growth of 20 per cent increase in landline consumers in FY16 after the launch of free night calling facility launched in May this year", Mishra added.
