PANAJI: The BSNL 3G service being introduced in the state on June 24 is all set to bring about radical metamorphosis in the communication sector, in areas like fast downloading of information, easy access and transfer of videos and availability of diverse services on the BSNL portal – BSNL Live, the Chief General Manager of BSNL for Maharashtra and Goa Telecom Circle, Mr Aloke Kaul informed.
Mr Kaul who is currently in Goa to participate in the launch of the ‘Generation Ahead’ communication service, speaking exclusively to ‘The Navhind Times’ Wednesday evening said that out of the 110 towers required to provide BSNL 3G service in Goa, almost 90 per cent that is 100 towers have been installed and are already radiating.
"Initially, Panaji and Mapusa in North Goa as well as Margao, Vasco and Ponda in South Goa will be 3G towns and the revolutionary service will soon have its network around the state,"
he added.
Speaking further, Mr Kaul said that the BSNL began its 2G service in the country quite late as compared to its other competitor companies, but has now managed to launch its 3G service at least five months before others.
"The major highlight of the 3G technology is handling data at a high speed of 3.6 mbps, with a minimum speed going down to 2 mbps," Mr Kaul informed, adding that entertainment is another important aspect of this service with the user being able to link immediately with the video in different ways and forms, such as mobile television, video call and so on.
"In fact, all the things in the realm of entertainment are handled by 3G," he observed, pointing out that the BSNL portal – BSNL Live will make available to the users of 3G service video on demand, full track song download; wide variety of contents such as astrology, music videos, ring tones, wallpapers and so on; multiplayer gaming; mobile broadband; and animations/ comics.
Altogether 55 cities of Maharashtra and Goa are expected to be covered with 3G service in immediate future. BSNL along with MTNL is the only telecom operator providing such services in India on date.
The 3G service also offers high-speed mobile internet access for PCs and laptops through the USB data card subscription, which comes with free all India roaming including Mumbai and Delhi. The data card costs Rs 2,500, while the convenient plans range from Rs 249 to Rs 2,499, available with both prepaid and post paid options. Incidentally, to give the customers firsthand experience, trial packs have also been launched for limited period.
Coming out with the information that the existing 1.35 lakh prepaid and 18,000 post paid Goan customers of BSNL’s 2G service will on demand, be able to migrate to the 3G technology, Mr Kaul said that a new handset however would be needed for the same.
"Such desiring customers can go for reasonably good handsets in the range between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, depending on high end and low end handsets,"
he noted.
The state presently has 800 retailers and five franchisee of BSNL, besides its customer service centres well equipped to sell 3G products. The existing BSNL 2G prepaid customers can migrate with special tariff voucher of Rs 21 or just send SMS - ‘ACT<space>3G’ to 53733, following which Rs 21 will be deducted from their balance and they will be migrated to 3G for a period of 30 days.
Replying to a question, Mr Kaul said that as an introductory offer, local and national video calls through 3G technology would be charged at the rate of 30 paise per minute. "However, the call needs to be made from BSNL/ MTNL to BSNL/ MTNL customers availing 3G service,"
he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Shantarm Naik said the 3G service, which is to be launched in Goa from June 24, will bring in a revolution in the mobile service as subscribers will now be able to see 11 TV channels on their 3G service enabled mobile sets, says a press release issued by Mr Shantaram Naik, MP, on Wednesday.
Mr Naik further says that he had constantly raised the issue in the Parliament for early commissioning of 3G service in Goa.
