BSNL booster dose for Digital India; `499 pack

To boost Digital India and challenge the competitors, BSNL  unveiled a handset and prepaid connection bundle for just Rs 499. Communication minister Manoj Sinha launched the scheme at New India Conclave 2017 of Zee Media in Jaipur on Saturday.  It plans to tap the market in rural areas.

“This will surely go a long way in providing mobile phone and services to rural population at a very economical rate,” said Sinha, stating that it will help in fulfilling PM Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’.

The event presented by BSNL focused on creating a new India through digital technology with PM Narendra Modi’s slogan of ‘Sankalp se Siddhi’.  BSNL will launch the bundled package just before the New Year to outmatch offers of its competitors and increase its customer base considerably over next six months. The package comes with a Detel brand handset and added talktime of Rs 103.

“We plan to sell 5 lakh such handsets over the next six months, the annual recharge of Rs 499 will keep the connection alive, “ said CMD BSNL Anupam Shrivastav while discussing the expected targets with DNA. BSNL, lagging behind the competitors, has been putting extra efforts, plans increase its market share from 8.35 per cent in March 2016 to 9.03 per cent in October 2017. At the conclave, Anupam Shrivastav also hinted at the possibility of BSNL rolling out its VoLTE 4 G connections soon. While the minister assured the gathering that India will introduce 5G services by 2020.