BSNL soon to launch VAS to face competition

The monopoly of the state owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is already

over in the fixed line services. Now with competition rising, they are trying to

push in VAS. It is with this view that the BSNL in Ahmedabad has launched

Answering Machine Services (AMS) and that too free of charge.

Launching AMS, Prithipal Singh, Chairman and MD, BSNL, said that BSNL always

stood with common man and never exploited any sector. He also added that in the

competition of fixed lines, BSNL would always value ethics.

AMS is similar to a voice mail service where subscribers will not miss any

call while they are away or while the instrument is busy or when it is out of

order.

They can retrieve the message from any number by dialing a fixed number and

entering a five-digit password. The AMS is enabled to hear instructions in three

languages, English, Hindi or Gujarati. The messages are stored in a private

mailbox that has unlimited capacity but will remain intact for only 96 hours. It

also enables the subscriber to record his own welcome message, record his name

and create or alter own password. Though it is free, registrations have to be

made in writing, Singh said.

More VAS’ are in the offing. With broadband not far, interactive TV and

cable on demand will also be a possibility.

Cyber News Service