Is BSNL in Stone Age?
Competition in Telecommunication is at peak and lot of companies are coming to tap the untouched areas of India especially semi urban and rural areas.
We are now talking about 3G but some western countries are talking about 4G. We believe and proud to say that India is the IT hub of the world, but what is the ground reality.
In rural India, it is difficult to find broadband connectivity; yes there is wireless internet but not much cable connections. Private operators limit their services with in City area. Broadband connectivity is still a dream in rural areas.
In this situation, people believe that BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, the say that they are India’s No.1 Telecommunications Company) is playing a crucial role to uplift the rural India as far as telecommunication is concerned. It is one of the major (may be only) providers gives Broadband in rural India. They have some impressive plans too. But…I would like to put light to some reality.
I live in rural area, which is not a remote place; it is just 20 KMs away from Cochin International Airport and just 3.5 KMs away from NH 47 (Karukutty Railway station Junction)
I have applied for a BSNL Broad Band connection (Home UL Plus) on 18th September 2009 along with a new telephone. This comes under Mookkanur Exchange and My Unique ID Number is KERENK20090900941 and Demand note no. 69618.
Today 15th October 2009, I have not received broadband connection. Whenever I inquire about the situation, I used to get a reply that JE is on leave. After hearing this for some days I decided to look for a senior person, that was SDE, he did not even bother to pick the phone up. I have tried some times continuesly for 2 days. But there was no result and had to give up. Ultimately, I got through DE, he was kind enough to listen to the situation and assured that he will take personal interest in this case and I will get connection in 2 days. Now it is almost 2 weeks from his assurance.
At last on, 9th October 2009, I got phone connection, (from yesterday that line is not working) but broad band is still a dream. Now I am using Reliance Netconnect. Although the speed is not good, I got a connection in the very next day after I applied. Still waiting for something good to happen, since I need unlimited broadband with reasonable speed and BSNL is the only option available in my area.
BSNL has lost lakhs of landlines during the past few months; they are surviving with Mobile connections and broadband in rural areas.
If private operators come to rural area, I do not thing BSNL will survive. People those who are at the top take decisions, but who cares of implementation. If you visit BSNL site, it will be interesting to read their Mission and Vision but only on paper-I believe so since I have experienced.
The attitude of people in BSNL should change, the way they respond, work everything should be changed. They still believe that they are the ONLY telecom provider in India. Yes they have monopoly in some areas since Private Operators are not reached Rural India.
If they cannot absorb the heat of competition, after some years we will tell our children that “ once upon a time there was a company called BSNL……………….”
I urge Private Operators to come to Rural India because, there is a huge potential in rural India as far as broadband is concerned: Some observations
- People in rural India migrating to VoIP, especially gulf community, families find it is a cheaper way to communicate with their near one. If you go to internet cafés’ in small towns you will feel the popularity of VoIP.
- SoHo (Small Office Home Office) concept is picking up and the only constrain is connectivity.
- Home based opportunities are huge, since companies may not find place for expansion and it will reduce traffic too.
There are lot more advantages for private players… so please come to Rural India and empower them.
really the fact story..most of them unaware of it..
hope the result will come soon..
Thank you Sridhar for reacting to it. In fact today evening I got broadband connection… after almost a month time…
BSNL, as I have its image in my mind is known for poor performance and bad network.
There is no other option available with rural community thats why people are forced to.
Dear Jinsen,
No one will come to rural area, except Govt owned service provider , no one ready to spend money for telecom facilities in rural area.
Do you know , bsnl landline rent is just RS50/month for rural area with 50 free calls.
Bsnl also not interested in laying new cables for rural area since they are already lossing money in rural area.
Airtel already burned their finger by entering into rural market. Do not hope pvt operators ,they are good for making money not for service.
Hi Simon, You are correct, landline business is not a profitable business for any provider now, bsnl lost so many connections during the past, and it is now the era of wireless. I am talking about Internet connectivity in rural India, there is a scope for private companies too. If the government take initiative to provide WiFi, these companies could save the cabling cost. And they could manage with existing towers. And government should insist private operators to offer services in rural India