BSNL mobile services in 43 cities of MP, Chattisgarh by March 2002

CNS

BSNL will provide mobile telephone services in 43 cities of Madhya Pradesh
and Chhattisgarh by March, 2002, which will be cheaper than the existing
services provided by private players in the field. BSNL General Manager (GM),
Dhruv Kumar Agrawal, said the mobile phone services will be provided to
subscribers in 43 cities of the two states by March 2002. He said these services
will be far better than the existing services available to the people, and that
too at a cheaper rate. Agrawal said that the existing private players in the
market will not be able to match the network of BSNL. These services will be
available throughout the road and rail network, specially on national highways
and state highways, unlike the existing services, where after some distance the
link fails, Agrawal added.

However, the department has so far been able to sell 111 mobile connections
out of the 600 targeted. Similarly, in the Wireless in Local Loop (WiLL)
category, it was able to sell 191 connections out of the 1500 targeted. Agrawal
denied that these phones were not working properly and clarified that people
were told in advance about their range and other facilities, and were not
cheated as has been reported. BSNL has also decided to provide a concession of
Rs 750 to the subscribers who do not want to pay the department for the
telephone instrument and wiring.