BSNL offers unlimited local and STD calls at Rs.144

Government-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd(BSNL) joins the race of offering unlimited free call facility to combat Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone and others by launching a new Rs. 144 plan for its customers on in the start of New Year 2017 with similar features (Unlimited free calls).

The plan, which is valid for six months, would offer unlimited local and STD calls to any network for a period of one month and it would come with 300MB data, BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Srivastava told reporters.

After handing over Rs. 99 and Rs. 339 to customers in last month. Srivastava said with the new pack, calls are absolutely free and would be available for both prepaid and postpaid customers.

BSNL is already offering unlimited 3G service for Rs. 1099 with 30 day validity.

The telecom service provider was also taking up several initiatives including launch of 4,400 Wi-Fi hotspots across the country.

“We have 4,400 Wi-Fi hotspots launched country wide. I think in Mahabalipuram near Chennai has a similar Wi-Fi hotspots. Our immediate strategy is to expand this. In next one year, we will be having around 40,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the country,” he said.

Besides, the company had also obtained 2500MHz from Government of India for launching service in rural areas, he said, adding BSNL would unveil classic LTE (Long Term Evolution) spectrum in phased manner.

Earlier in the month, incumbent operators Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular tried to match free 4G service of Reliance Jio by launching two identical schemes offering free calls and limited mobile Internet use priced at around Rs. 150 and Rs. 350 with 28 days validity.

Vodafone also launched similar tariff later. At present, Reliance Jio is offering free 4G mobile service including calls and data till March 31. It has packed 52 million customers in 83 days.