BSNL Announces National Cellular Tariff

BSNL has launched the its CellOne cellular services in Lucknow. The Prime

Minister made the inaugural call to Deputy Prime Minister L. K Advani. According

to Prithipal Singh, CMD, BSNL"The service was launched in Lucknow today and

we plan to cover 100 cities within one week." The Lucknow launch would be

followed by launch in MP on 20th Maharasthra and Karnataka on 21st, Gujarat on

22nd, Kerala on 23rd and Tamil Nadu on 24th October. By March 2003 we have a

target for 1 million customers. There would be no roaming and CLI charges for

CellOne subscribers. BSNL will charge Rs. 200 for Activation, Rs. 1,000 for

Security, Rs. 2,000 for STD, and Rs. 3,000 for STD/ISD.

The tariff would be as follows:

The pulse would be of 15 seconds for outgoing Incoming 60 seconds

Prepaid: Denominations of Rs. 300, Rs. 500, Rs. 1000, and Rs. 2000

Post Paid: In postpaid there are two plans Plan 225 and Plan 325

Plan 225: The monthly rental would be Rs. 225. Incoming free from

mobile to mobile only. Calls from mobile to PSTN will cost 1.20 paise. Outgoing

calls will cost 2.40 paise per minute for call within the same circle

Plan 325: The monthly rental would be Rs. 325. Incoming calls from

both PSTN and Mobile is free. Outgoing 2.00 paise per minute for call within the

same circle

Pravin Prashant