Fixed line telephone subscribers in HP soon, says BSNL

Una, Mar 28 (UNI) Fixed line telephone subscribers in Hamirpur and Una districts of Himachal Pradesh will soon be able to access television programmes and video on demand through broadband connections, BSNL's state Chief General Manager Srikant Sharma said today.

Addressing a public gathering after inaugurating the 50th customer care centre here, he said the scheme would be launched in 24 telephone exchanges under the Hamirpur SSA, which included Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Una districts.

Mr Sharma said, three lakh new cellphone connections would be sanctioned in the state during the next financial year against the last year's achievements of 2.71 lakh.

He said a new toll free line with number 1500 has been opened to lodge complaints, adding the customers could get their telephone bills by dialing 166.

Going with the BSNL Slogan 'Customer is the King', telephony infrastructure and services were being improved, he said.

The BSNL's CGM said, 31 new Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) towers would be added in the Hamirpur SSA area during the next financial year.

The pre-paid cell phone users can now avail of 25 to 30 per cent extra talk value on recharge coupons, he said.

The CGM also announced sops for landline subscribers, saying those availing Rs 200 rental plan would be given 200 free calls besides unlimited free calls within the SSA, while those subscribing to Rs 375 monthly rental scheme would be given 375 free monthly calls and unlimited free calls to BSNL telephones anywhere in the state.

Besides, he said the subscribers whose bills are more than Rs 1,000 per month would be provided an additional rent-free telephone line in his or her premises.

Mr Sharma said 10,000 new broadband connections would be released in the state during the next year and industrial areas would be provided with the best telephony infrastructure.

UNI