State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will soon provide its subscribers unlimited local and national voice calls to any network for Rs 149 a month.
The monthly tariff plan which also includes 300 MB of data, is expected to be launched on January 1, 2017, readying BSNL to compete with Reliance Jio, reported The Economic Times.
"We are working on a plan to allow unlimited voice calls to mobile subscribers at any network across India at Rs 149 a month," BSNL chairman Anupam Shrivastava told ET, adding that the plan would also include 300 MB of data.
"Jio has come up with disruptive strategy and we are ready to match whatever tariff is being offered by our competitors," Shrivastava said.
While other private telcos too have started offering unlimited voice calling, these are part of higher-valued plans.
Shrivastava said BSNL's strategy is aimed at not only retaining existing customers but also enhancing subscriber base in the wake of Jio's tactical pricing, competitive tariffs by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular.
On September 5, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani sent flutters down in Indian telecom market after he launched his ambitious venture Jio which offered free voice calls and free data for the first three months. The company has now extended the offer till March 31, 2017.
