Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched a new landline service that features video calling. This new service comes with the partnership of SIS Infosystems and can be used to set up public video call offices.
“We will convert existing Public Call Offices (PCOs) to VCOs with these phones. People will be able to make voice calls to any phone and video calls to any other IP (internet based) phone,” BSNL Chairman and Managing Director R K Upadhyay told reporters here.
He also added that BSNL’s most of the revenue still comes from landline service and this service will surely increase company’s revenue. Now there is no need to have a computer for making video calls. He also confirms that more than 770 PCOs have been confirmed to upgrade their business as VCOs.
This service was inaugurated by Sam Pitroda who is Advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He stressed on the use of video phones to reach rural masses.
“It will bridge the gap between urban and rural India. This will be a platform for growth as this network can be used for purposes like job interview, tele-medicine, tele-education and host of other services,” Pitroda said.
BSNL will also offer franchisee service to reach up to more customers around the country. To get the franchisee for this service, one will have to pay for VCO devices which will cost around Rs. 25,000 and will also have to sign a business agreement with BSNL.
