BSNL plans 4 deals to ease phone tariff hike
Wednesday, 12 March 2003, 20:30 IST
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HYDERABAD: According to Sumitra Mahajan, Union Minister of State for Communications, the new packages have been pending approval with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and BSNL would implement them after receiving the nod. Mahajan said that TRAI regulation on tariff for basic telephone connections need not be followed in toto. "The TRAI has given its order increasing tariff for fixed telephone lines with effect from April 1. The Central government will find out a via media solution to the problem arising out of the order. Moreover, BSNL has already prepared alternative packages to hold back its customer base," she pointed out. Mahajan said that BSNL would ensure that there is no additional burden on subscribers. Referring to BSNL’s cellular service, she said that the corporation had gained a customer base of 15 lakh in just 100 days. The Minister said that as per the TRAI report, Andhra Pradesh telecom circle stood first in providing better customer service and telecom facilities to people. The work on fiber optic cable in the State will be completed by December-end in the State, she said adding that the BSNL will also utilize the fiber optic network of the railways. She also said that BSNL would utilize its buildings for commercial purpose. Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Minister of State for Railways who was also present at the inaugural function said that the Railways would lay 63,000 km of optic fiber backbone and work had been over on 33,000 km route. Another 27,000 km would be added this year. Internet kiosks will be set up in all railway stations.
Source: IANS
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