MTNL slashes broadband tariff by 50%, launches 'Mobile TV'

New Delhi, Aug 13 (UNI) State-run Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd (MTNL) today said it has reduced its broadband charges by 50 per cent in order to increase its broadband consumer base in the city.

''We have slashed the charges of our broadband service in the national capital by up to 50 per cent,'' company Executive Director (Delhi) A K Arora told reporters here.

He said the reduction will be in the form of introduction of low monthly rental plan, increased free download limit in all existing plans and reduction in per MB usage charges.

The reduction in tariff has been done in view of falling international bandwidth charges and due to addition of new capacity, Mr Arora said.

Currently, MTNL has 2.6 lakhs broadband customers in Delhi.

''We have recently expanded our broadband network capacity to four lakh ports. We want to make optimal use of our enhanced capacities,'' he said.

Mr Arora said the reduction in tariff will be effective from August 15 for new customers. And for the existing customers, it will be available from September 1.

Now a broadband connection is available at a monthly rental of Rs 99 only at a speed up to two Mbps with free download limit of 150 MB.

In another low tariff plan introduced, the monthly rental will be Rs 149 with free download limit of 400 MB.

In the existing plan of Rs 199 per month, the free download limit has been increased from 400 MB to 600 MB, an increase of 50 per cent.

With a view to attract more customers to its unlimited plan, MTNL has also reduced the monthly rental by 34 per cent from Rs 899 to Rs 599.

MTNL, which provides telecom services in Delhi and Mumbai, also launched its Mobile TV in association with Hyderabad-based Apalya Technologies.

''The TV service on mobile handsets 'MTNL-TV' is available in Delhi and the NCR for MTNL customers both on Dolphin and Trump,'' Mr Arora said.

He said 20 channels will be provided, and the monthly charge will be Rs 99. There will be no separate charges for GPRS usage.

The public sector telecom operator also introduced Lost Mobile Tracking System (LMTS) in association with Mumbai-based Micro Technologies in order to help both its postpaid and prepaid customers trace stolen or lost mobile phones with monthly subscription charge of Rs 30.

UNI SBA SR BST1858