Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje   

Mangalore, Mar 8: An integrated bundling offer by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) of the DK Telecom District (DKTD) was launched here on Friday March 7, wherein a customer gets a BSNL SIM card, with a G-200CF colour handset worth Rs 1,458. This offer of handset/SIM card was launched by I Thirunavakkarasu, in-charge principal general manager of DKTD.  

Under the bundling offer, a customer gets the said Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card of BSNL free and handset either in pre-paid or post-paid category, with talk time worth Rs 1,500 free. The activation of the SIM card is also free.

The features of the handset are that it is sleek, slim and stylish-looking, with 16-channel polyphonic, midi ring tones, call black list to block incoming calls, 250-numbers phonebook, FM radio and secret SMS facility. The handset is manufactured by Digibee Microsystem Pvt Ltd, (DMSPL) Bangalore.  

Speaking on the occasion, S M Hegde, assistant general manager of DKTD, informed that as of now '3,000 such connections are available under the offer in the telecom district. Nearly 1,000 handsets are already available with seven franchises in the telecom district. Another 2,000 handsets will be available soon,' he added.  

Further he informed that customers will get a talk time of Rs 10 on purchasing the handset. They will be able to have a top-up within a week of purchasing it. 'Call rates charges under 225 plan will be 90 paise to BSNL number, Rs 1.20 to other cellular operators and landlines within the state,' he said.  

Moreover according to Hegde the bundled handsets will be sold through BSNL franchisees and their network, including independent associates within the city.  

As added incentive Hegde informed that customers will be receiving talk time worth Rs 100 each for the next one year and three months. 'There will be no carry over facility on the balance value. Customers cannot change the SIM card for 15 months from the date of activation. Doing so will automatically lock the handset,' Hegde pointed out.