Domestic Broadband Internet just got cheaper. According to reports, state-owned telecom major, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced a 50% reduction in broadband rates of 256 Kbps connection.
In a statement issued by the company, A K Sinha, chairman and managing director, BSNL, said that broadband subscribers would now get BSNL DataOne service of 256 Kbps, at a monthly charge of Rs 250, down from the earlier Rs 500.
Sinha said, "Following this move, we expect to add about 1 million broadband connections this year and about 2 million more next. About 1.8 million dial-up internet connection users would be attracted to come over to the broadband network, for enhanced browsing experience".
He also stated that BSNL had plans for expansion of the GSM network, customer services etc.
With respect to BSNL's reduction in broadband tariffs, if users opt for a one-time annual payment, charges will be still lower i.e. Rs 2,500. However, BSNL has slashed the download limit on the Rs 250 plan to 400 MB, as against the 1 GB available download on the Rs 500 plan. This means that the scheme could prove to be expensive rather than cheap.
But... the company allows subscribers to download at the rate of Rs 1.40 per MB instead of the previous Rs 2 per MB, once the 400 MB limit is reached.
For business plan subscribers, BSNL has cut tariff rates from the existing Rs 1,200 per month to Rs 750 a month.
Meanwhile sources reveal that MTNL has joined the fray and plans to offer a scheme, wherein broadband subscribers will have to pay a certain minimal amount per MB of download, rather than monthly charges.
source The techtree
