BSNL launches VOIP ‘Wings’, prepaid landline services; to improve network in Kashmir

Srinagar: State-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Wednesday said that it has launched Internet Telephony (VOIP) service with brand name ‘Wings’ and prepaid landline service in Kashmir valley.
Meanwhile, for improving the network performance and speed, J&K BSNL is planning for upgradation of back hual bandwidth between Srinagar-Jammu-Delhi, besides introduce more than 300 state of the art transmission equipments — Converged Packet Access Network (CPSN) and Managed Packet Network (MNG-PANs) system which will facilitate the Gigabyte Ethernet connectivity to all places and nodes.
“The connections will be made available from August 1 this year on the first-come-first-serve basis for ‘Wings’, while the prepaid landline service will be made available from this month,” Chief General Manager Telecom (CGMT), J&K circuit,  H K Verma, told reporters during a press conference here on Tuesday.
He said the service can be used by installing a SIP client or a soft application on a smartphone or tablet. “The app will allow users to make and receive calls from anywhere in India and abroad with any landline or mobile. The customers can enjoy unlimited audio or video calls for a year by paying a one-time activation fee of Rs 1,099,” he said.
He said the service will enable consumers to make calls even in areas with erratic network supply. “The service uses Mobile Numbering scheme and is being provided using IP based access network of IMS NGN Core switches. Customers can use existing address book of mobile while calling,” Mr Verma said.
The user, he said, is free to use the internet connection of any provider.
TRIA, in a recommendation, last year had given a green signal for Internet Telephony by access service provider and the service appears to be a step towards it.
He said BSNL is also ready to launch Prepaid Landline service by the end of this month for the customers on state of the art technology using Next Generation Network (NGN) platform with enhanced feature. “Prepaid landline gives freedom for the customer in terms of pay as per use. There are no installation charges applicable. There are no registration charges and rental charges. Customer can purchase his own instrument or BSNL will provide a CLIP instrument at a cost of Rs 625,” he said.
Expansion of optical fiber network by adding more than 2000 RKM OFC routers out of which about 1000 RKMs have been planned for Kashmir valley, he said.
He said 800 new/existing BTS sites will be upgraded out of which 400 BTSs are deployed in Kashmir. “We have plans of launching about 10000 Fiber to Home (FTTH) connections out of which 4500 FTTH connections have been planned in the valley,” he added.