BSNL unveils new unlimited voice calling plans for prepaid users, starts at ₹99

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) on Tuesday introduced new unlimited prepaid mobile plans, starting at ₹99 for the Calcutta telecom circle.

Calcutta Telephones CGM S P Tripathi said the new plan starts from ₹99 for 26 days and ₹319 for 90 days unlimited voice calls with roaming, except in Delhi and Mumbai.

At ₹999, the company will offer unlimited calls and 1GB/day high-speed data for 181 days.

The telecom operator was also bullish on the 2,100 MHz spectrum band before its 4G roll-out here, which could be as early as from March this year, Calcutta Telephones CGM S P Tripathi said.

"We expect spectrum in the 2,100 MHz band within days and equipment is also ready," he said, sounding optimistic about the 4G roll-out in phases across the city with 650-odd towers.

Tripathi said he expects the next fiscal year 2018-19 to be "much better" for the company as the price war gradually settles.

In the current fiscal, Calcutta Telephones is hopeful of clocking revenues between ₹510 crore and ₹550 crore, while losses are pegged at about ₹350 crore, company officials said. It is also focusing on recovery of dues from institutional and retail customers to the tune of ₹300 crore.

According to an IANS report, the state-run telco will conduct a recovery drive till March 31.

According to officials of Calcutta Telephones, the recovery drive till March 31 had so far contributed substantially to the circle's earnings, at a time when revenues are under pressure due to falling tariffs.

"We have had a positive result from the recovery drive in two years. In the landline and broadband segments, we have seen recoveries of around 40 per cent and 36 per cent respectively. The scheme will run for another month. We are hopeful of further recoveries," Calcutta Telephones BSNL General Manager (Finance) Shamendra Kujur said.

(with inputs from IANS)