BSNL mobile service in 43 cities by Mar 02

BSNL would 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, Dhruv Kumar Agrawal, GM, BSNL informed the reporters
recently. He said these services would 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 would not be able to match the network of BSNL.
These services will be available throughout the road and rail network,
especially 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.