Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is late but it is finally gearing up for the impending launch of its commercial 4G services in India. In preparation for this significant milestone, the state-owned telecom provider has unveiled a new logo along with the introduction of seven innovative services aimed at improving user experience and expanding service offerings.
The unveiling event, held at BSNL’s headquarters in New Delhi, was attended by Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia and Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani. The new services introduced by BSNL include spam protection measures, a national Wi-Fi roaming service, a fibre-based intranet TV service, and a direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity solution.
The spam protection feature is designed to automatically filter malicious SMS and phishing attempts. This enhancement is crucial as cyber threats continue to rise, ensuring a safer communication environment for users.
The new national Wi-Fi roaming service targets fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) consumers, offering high-speed internet access at BSNL hotspots. The company is expanding its television services with a fibre-based intranet TV service that offers over 500 live channels and a Pay TV facility. Notably, data consumed while streaming TV will not count against the user’s FTTH data package, making it an attractive option for entertainment.
To further facilitate user experience, BSNL has introduced Any Time SIM (ATM) kiosks, enabling customers to purchase, replace, or upgrade their SIM cards conveniently. The kiosks feature QR-enabled UPI payments and support multiple languages for wider usability.
BSNL is also converging satellite and terrestrial mobile networks through its D2D service to support UPI payments during emergencies and in remote areas. Furthermore, an encrypted communications platform will be available for government and relief agencies, enhancing communication during crises through balloon and drone systems. Additionally, BSNL has partnered with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to introduce a private 5G network tailored for mining services.
