More Than 1 Lakh Aircel Customers Registered to Join BSNL

Aircel has filed for bankruptcy with the NCLT due to its Rs 15,500 crore debt. 

(Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

State-owned BSNL said on 6 March that over one lakh customers of troubled telecom operator Aircel have registered under the mobile number portability facility to join the network.

Last month, 57,345 customers ported into BSNL through the MNP (mobile network portability) from Aircel and 1.85 lakh existing customers registered to join the network, BSNL Tamil Nadu circle, Chief General Manager R Marshal Antony Leo said.

"In the last five days (1 to 5 March) 1.28 lakh customers have ported to BSNL, while 66,886 customers have already joined the network," he told reporters in Chennai.

Last week, Aircel said it has filed for bankruptcy as the company has been facing "troubled times" in a "highly financially stressed" industry.

Intense competition following the disruptive entry of a new player, legal and regulatory challenges, high level of unsustainable debt and increased losses had together caused significant ‘negative business and reputational impact’ on the company

Aircel

Leo said that under the initiative to set up BSNL Wi-Fi hotspots in the country, 58 locations with 84 access points have so far been commissioned in Tamil Nadu.

On the launch of 4G service, he said BSNL has signed an agreement with Nokia Ltd to roll it out in 10 circles in the Western and Southern zones of the country, including in Tamil Nadu.

566 4G e-Node B equipment has been alloted for 4G service in the Tamil Nadu circle, which will be provided on allocation of spectrum by the Department of Telecommunication, he said.

Leo also announced new plans and tariffs for customers opting to use the company’s landline and broadband facilities.

Under Experience LL 49 plan for landline customers, there would be no installation charges till 17 July 2018. Similarly the popular BB 249 plan for broadband customers was available till 31 March 2018, he said.

For customers in the Tamil Nadu circle, excluding Chennai, the download limit for broadband users was also enhanced. In the BB Combo Unlimited 699 plan, it has been increased to 30GB from 8GB, while under Unlimited 1049 plan it has been doubled to 60GB from 30GB.

Leo said the Free calling facility offered to customers on Sundays has been extended upto 30 April 2018.

(Hey there, lady! What makes you laugh? Do you laugh at sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny? Do 'sanskaari' stereotypes crack you up? This Women's Day, join The Quint's Ab Laugh Naari campaign. Pick up that beer, say cheers, and send us photographs or videos of you laughing out loud at [e-mail].)