BSNL ties up with Lava, Micromax, plans to launch low-cost phones

State-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has tied up with domestic smartphone manufacturers Lava and Micromax to offer mobile handsets at low-cost with bundled offers from the operator.

"BSNL has tied up with Micromax and Lava to provide instruments to BSNL customers at low cost. We are coming out with bundled offers on the handsets manufactured by Micromax and Lava with BSNL SIMs...the cost details are being worked out," BSNL's Hyderabad Telecom District (HTD) Principal General Manager K Ramchand told reporters here.

He said six rural exchanges are commissioned with Wi-Fi in Hyderabad Telecom District and another 112 rural exchanges will be covered by December end this year.

On BSNL's latest 'Plan 429', which was launched recently, that provides unlimited voice and 1 GB data per day for 90 days for prepaid mobile services for ₹429, he said since its launch there have been more than 3.5 lakh connections under Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Circles.

On linking of Aadhar with mobile numbers, the BSNL official said a total 68,000 have already been linked in HTD.

It is worth pointing out that Reliance Jio is already selling a smart feature phone, JioPhone, with bundled data benefits, app subscriptions and free voice calls. Customers can buy the Reliance JioPhone by paying a security deposit of ₹1,500. Rival telco Airtel is also planning to launch a low-cost smartphone under ₹2,500.