Date:02/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/02/stories/2005090219220400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

BSNL reduces tariff for home, business Net users

Special Correspondent

Cut in rate set to increase broadband connections

BANGALORE: Bangalore continues to lead the nation with more than 25,000 broadband connections now.

The numbers are bound to increase with the tariff being reduced drastically for home and business Internet users.

Now you can get a Home Plan paying monthly charges of Rs. 250 (Rs. 500 earlier), bandwidth of 256 kbps, down/upload limit of 0.4 GB and additional usage charges at Rs. 1.40 per MB.

The Business Plan comes for Rs. 700 (Rs. 1,000 earlier) with 256 kbps, 2GB and additional charges of Rs. 1.20/MB.

There is more good news: modems now come at lower prices too. You can buy a "no frills" type for Rs. 1,200 down from Rs. 2,000 earlier.

For those who use a laptop at office and home, connectivity becomes easier.

BSNL is offering two models of wireless enabled modems, priced at Rs. 1,800 and Rs. 2,000 each.

Modem installation charges have been cut by half to Rs. 250 and even this has been waived for all new broadband customers up to September 30.

For high-value household users, free download is offered and security deposits waived for certain Home Plans.

The reduction in usage charges for both home and business users varies from 33 per cent to 60 per cent.

"Waiting time for broadband connections has been reduced to one week or less; we are employing engineering students part time, paying them Rs. 200 per new connection which they will install,'' said BSNL Karnataka Chief General Manager Ramaganapathy. About 150 students have been trained so far.

On the mobile phone side, more prepaid cards are to be offered for sale from the end of September by when the network as well as capacity will be expanded. BSNL has introduced full talk time

Top-Up cards priced at Rs. 200 and Rs. 500 with a validity period equal to the previously charged coupon.

The best value is offered by the Rs. 3,000 recharge coupon with a year's validity, working out to Rs. 250 plus taxes a month.

This makes CellOne cheaper than most competitors. It has 8.2 lakh users now and another eight lakhs are to be added in the coming months.

Landlines are getting cheaper too. Two new tariff packages of Rs. 299 and Rs. 1,450 per month are now offered with free calls of 150 and 1,800 respectively. Beyond free call limits unit charges for the two plans are Rs. 1.20 and 90 paise.