Srinagar, Aug 14: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Friday announced a range of new telecom services and promotional schemes for Kashmir, including expansion of 4G connectivity, satellite phone services, a new high-speed FTTH broadband plan and subsidised mobile offerings.
The announcements were made during a press conference addressed by Assistant General Manager and Sales and Marketing Head, BSNL Srinagar, Muzaffar Ahmad Beigh, ahead of the 80th Independence Day.
Beigh described the initiatives as a “tremendous benchmark” and “a very good step forward” for digital connectivity in Kashmir, particularly in areas where difficult terrain and remoteness have continued to pose challenges to telecom infrastructure.
He said BSNL had operationalised 4G Saturation Towers under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) project and was expanding coverage under the Phase IX.2 scheme, including areas such as Keran, Machil, Tangdhar, Narnag, Doodhpathri, Aharbal, Toshmaidan and Gurbatan.
BSNL also said additional sites were being proposed to address remaining communication gaps across the region.
As part of the announcements, BSNL introduced satellite phone infrastructure for government and PSU organisations at a price of ₹1,34,166 plus applicable taxes. The service is intended for critical sectors where conventional mobile connectivity can be difficult, including defence, disaster response, high-altitude engineering operations, border patrols and adventure travel.
The telecom major as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also announced a new ‘Fiber Super Plus OTT’ FTTH broadband plan with a fixed monthly charge of ₹1,199. The plan bundles 16 OTT platforms, including JioHotstar, SonyLIV and ZEE5.
Under an Independence Day promotional offer valid for two months, customers will receive a flat ₹88 discount, bringing the effective monthly charge to ₹1,111.
For new mobile subscribers, BSNL announced the ‘Freedom 2.0’ entry offer, under which a new connection can be obtained for ₹1 until September 12.
The offer includes a free SIM, 1GB high-speed data per day, 100 SMS per day and unlimited voice calls for 24 days.
BSNL has also extended its JK-20 annual recharge plan priced at ₹2,398. The plan provides 2GB high-speed data per day, unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS per day.
Customers recharging under the scheme before September 12 will receive 47 days of additional validity, taking the total validity to 412 days.
The company also highlighted its satellite phone service, FTTH expansion, SIM sale initiative and ongoing 4G rollout as major components of its Kashmir connectivity push.
Assistant General Manager and Sales and Marketing Head, BSNL Srinagar, Muzaffar Ahmad Beigh said customers could also use the BSNL Self-Care app and the BSNL CYMN portal for online booking of vanity numbers.
The announcements come as BSNL seeks to expand its presence in Kashmir’s telecom market while extending services to areas where connectivity remains difficult because of terrain and geographical isolation. [KNT]
