CHENNAI: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the state-run telecom provider, has introduced data sharing special tariff vouchers (STV) in the south zone and it set to implement it on PAN India basis for prepaid mobile subscribers soon.
The scheme will enable subscribers to share mobile data among a group of prepaid subscribers. According to BSNL, prepaid customer can subscribe to a data pack and share it with four other prepaid subscribers.
Mobile data packs are how prepaid mobile users pay for internet access, exhausting which internet access is billed to subscribers through their talktime balances at much higher rates.
The scheme is set to be a relief for consumers who will now be able to share mobile data with one another without having to pay extra once their data pack runs out, or recharge with another data pack.
The scheme is important to BSNL too. With revenues from voice calling plunging as internet and smartphone penetration increases, revenue from mobile data is set to be the main channel for revenue in the future for telcos.
Mobile data sharing, with which other firms like Airtel have come out with, are reminiscent of the offers like free night calling, prepaid balance sharing etc that BSNL came out with earlier in an effort to attract new subscribers.
The procedure to subscribe to the new community data pack scheme and adding of the four accounts, with those the pack is to be shared with, can be done through the BSNL’s web portal: www.bsnlszprepaid.com. BSNL says that no charges will be levied for availing this facility.
“BSNL is providing community data sharing and connectivity through this data sharing will empower family and friends to be in touch,” said R K Mittal, Director (CM) BSNL Board.
Eleven Data Sharing STVs are available in the market as of now, denominations starting from Rs 173 for 1.2 GB for 18 days to Rs 2,013 giving 21 GB for 90 days (exclusive of service tax).