As it was widely anticipated, the free unlimited night calling from BSNL landline to any phone (wireless/fixed) within India, has infused growth and charm into the loss-making PSU telecom operator- BSNL.
BSNL free night calling facility which allows the subscribers to dial any number within India for free between 9 pm and 7 am was implemented on May 1, 2015. There is no catch of any kind in this offer and it allows the subscribers to chat as long as they want within the given time period.
It was for the first time in the last few years that BSNL witnessed growth in its landline subscriber base.
“In the last two months we have seen growth of 30 percent in registration for new connection compared to April 2015,” said K C Ghosh, BSNL GM (Calcutta Telephones or CalTel) responsible for fixed landlines.
Mr. Ghosh also said that the demand for re-connection has also gone up by 20-25% during this period. Re-connections lines are defined as existing fixed connections which had barred outgoing as well as incoming calls for non-payment of dues.
K C Ghosh also mentioned that CalTel still has only 7.5 lakh fixed landline connections down from 14 lakh connections that the telephone company enjoyed during its prime in 2003-2004.
Talking about CalTel’s financial performance, S Kujur, BSNL GM Finance at CalTel mentioned that there has been a positive trend after a few years of negative growth.
“There had been revenue growth of 2.15% to Rs. 675 crore in FY15′ up from Rs. 661 crore registered in the previous fiscal,” S Kujur added.
However, in spite of the recent growth in revenue and increasing demand for its landline connections, CalTel will still have to bear huge losses. According to S Kujur, the losses for FY15 will be to the tune of Rs. 360 crores, down from Rs. 398 crore loss during the last fiscal.
BSNL is still far behind from what it was a decade back. Now all that the company needs are new and attractive plans and offers for retaining its old customers and for attracting new customers who are on the lookout for a new home connection.
Besides offering free calling facilities, BSNL can also fast and affordable broadband connections so that it can also lure in those who want a fast and a cheap broadband connection.
I would certainly surrender my current broadband connection if BSNL would offer a 2 Mbps unlimited combo broadband plan under Rs. 1,000. Who wouldn’t want to get unlimited night calls and fast internet both in a combo pack under Rs. 1,000/month?