MTNL’s one world plan

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd on Friday launched Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) based telephone services which will enable its broadband subscribers to make international long distance calls to the US, the UK, Canada and Australia at Re one per minute. Customers using this service will be able to make ISD calls using a fixed line telephone without a PC. With this an MTNL fixed line subscriber can get four different services on a single connection including telephone, Internet, VoIP phone and IPTV simultaneously.This facility shall also be available to all MTNL PCO holders. The service is launched initially on prepaid basis and subscribers can make calls to about 150 countries. Subscribers will have to pay non refundable registration and installation charges of Rs 500, refundable security deposit of Rs 1,000 and a quarterly rental of Rs 243. The prepaid cards will be available in the denomination of Rs 100, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 with validity of 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, respectively with full talk value.

two ways to use this facility:

For those who choose to access MTNL’s internet telephony through their personal computers (a PC to PC call), the tariffs are likely to be as low as 10 paise per minute. If you do not have a PC at home, but want to make cheap ISD calls, just subscribe to MTNL’s broadband connection (which comes with monthly rentals starting at Rs 199) and also buy an Analog Telephone Adaptor (ADA) from the PSU for Rs 1,500. The adaptor converts the fixed line phone into an IP (internet protocol) device so that the user does not have to use a computer and carry it over the broadband internet line.

The state-owned MTNL has tied up with Aksh Optifibre to offer the VoIP service. Aksh is also planning to introduce Video calling facility by October this year. BSNL may also launch internet telephony through fixed line instruments in all major cities, though no time frame was given.