Srinagar, Aug 14 (KNO): Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Friday announced an expansion of its telecom network in Jammu and Kashmir, including 4G connectivity in remote and border areas, a Re 1 SIM offer and the launch of satellite phone services.
Addressing a launch ceremony at the BSNL Kashmir office in Srinagar, DGM CFA and DGM Marketing, BSNL Srinagar, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the company had focused its expansion on remote areas where private operators often do not venture due to limited commercial viability.
“We have covered the areas where no operator wants to go because revenue is not generated there,” the DGM said, adding that BSNL was a service-oriented, rather than profit-oriented, company.
An official at the BSNL Kashmir office said around 350 towers had been installed in remote areas, covering places including Kalaroos, Keran, Tangdhar, Machil and Gurez, while the wider expansion programme has taken the number of towers installed or planned to nearly 1,500.
“Our main focus is to serve people in those places where no one is serving,” he said, adding that BSNL had installed towers even for small habitations with only five to eight households.
On the occasion of Independence Day, BSNL launched its ‘Freedom 2.0’ offer, under which new customers can get a SIM for Re 1, along with 1GB data per day, 100 SMS per day and unlimited voice calls for 24 days. The offer will remain available till September 12.
“Despite the pressure to generate revenue, we are offering the FRC for just Re 1,” the official said, urging wider publicity of the offer, particularly in remote areas where affordability remains a concern.
BSNL has also announced its Fibre Super Plus OTT broadband plan at Rs 1,199 per month. Under the Independence Day promotion, the effective monthly charge will be Rs 1,111 for two months, with the plan offering access to 16 OTT platforms.
The company has further extended its JK-20 annual plan, priced at Rs 2,398, offering 2GB data per day, unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS per day. Customers recharging before September 12 will get an additional 47 days of validity, taking the total validity to 412 days.
A key highlight of the launch was the introduction of satellite phone services for authorised government users. The official said the service would be useful in areas without conventional mobile coverage, particularly for trekkers, forest personnel, police, civil administration and during disasters such as floods.
“For the first time after 25 years, satellite phones have been introduced for the common requirements of government users,” the official said—(KNO)