BSNL, DoP provide services in rural areas

New Delhi, Dec 29: Government-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Department of Post (DoP) have tied up to provide telephone services to people in remote areas of the country.

The companies today said they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect. The two entities had collectively initiated a scheme namely, ''Gramin Sanchar Sewak Scheme'', in 2003.

The PSUs are also trying to work out a scheme in which ATM facilities will be extended to some of the farthest corner of the country, thereby getting facilities for micro-financing and remittances of funds to the farthest corner of the country in the shortest possible time.

In addition, BSNL will extensively use the Bill Mail Services of DoP and will utilise the services of postman for collection of telephone bills, thereby extending the facilities of bill payment to the doorsteps of the subscribers.

The DoP will be one of the preferred franchise for selling prepaid cellular recharge coupons, Indian Telephone Cards, FLPP Card, Webfone Card, and Sancharnet Card, BSNL said in a statement.

In their turn BSNL will give the most preferred status as a business customer to the DoP and will be offering the state-of-the-art services to strengthen their country wide network.

The MoU leverages the infrastructure of the both the entities.

The Department of Post and Telecom used to be a single entity prior to the year 1985. However, after separation of the Post and Telecom Departments the two had pursued distinct objectives of growth in their own sectors. Now, the two entities have resolved to restore the synergies in order to ensure that the benefits of growth are fully extended to rural masses in communication sector.

UNI