Private operators cry foul over BSNL new call service; PSU denies

New Delhi: Industry body COAI has alleged that BSNL's new app-based service for making calls is in violation to licence norms, but the telecom PSU has rebutted the charge.

Referring to media reports on the service, COAI said, "The development depicted by these media reports is completely shocking and surprising as this App is completely against all regulatory and licensing principles. This app violated licence conditions, breaches existing interconnect agreement, poses grave security risks and violates Numbering plan..."

The BSNL service allowing customers to make landline calls using mobile phone and vice-versa was launched by Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in presence of telecom secretary JS Deepak on March 17.

BSNL customers travelling abroad through the app will be able to connect their landlines through mobile and make calls through them without attracting heavy ISD charges.

BSNL had announced that it would launch the service on April 2. However, it is yet to start the Fixed Mobile Telephony service as it has not finalised tariffs for the new plan.

"There is no violation of rules from these services. This kind of reaction from industry is obvious because BSNL is revamping its offerings for customers and no one in industry has been able to such innovative services," BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava said.

He said that the company has not operationalised the service because it is in process of finalising tariff plan.

"There is a turnaround at BSNL. We are gaining customers which is hitting private operators. We appreciate competition that is paving for innovative service for customers like FMT that we have launched," Shrivastava said.