Srinagar, June 3: At a time when every other cellular operator in Kashmir is vying to gain more and more market, state run Bharat Sanchar Nigham Limited seems all content in its laid-back state.
 While the private mobile operators are luring customers with competitively attractive packages to increase their base, BSNL seems leaving the ground unhesitatingly.
 “The companies such as Reliance, Airtel, Tata Indicom, Aircel and Idea Cellular are offering attractive packages to rope in consumers. But the BSNL is lagging behind in this race,” said Abdul Majeed Dar of Sekidaffar.
 “The telecom companies in Kashmir are facing stiff competition due to entry of new players in the field. This competition has led to sharp decline in the call rates with companies coming up with new and attractive packages,” Dar said.
 He added that it was surprising that the state run company that should have been in the forefront in this competition, “is leaving the ground for others.”
 Many BSNL subscribers told this reporter that even as the Nigam has launched the one paisa/second package, “several other packages like free calls from same network, rental decrease, attractive and cheap SMS packs, night offers, free caller tones and many more, launched by other companies are unknown to the BSNL.”
 Officials in the BSNL on condition of anonymity said despite demand from the customers, “we fail to understand why the BSNL is not coming up with schemes that attract the people.”
 “Interestingly, by not launching such packages, it is the BSNL which is affected more than its customers,” they said.
 The official said the BSNL can increase its revenues by launching attractive offers for the consumers.
 “There was a time when cellular sector in Kashmir was monopolized by BSNL but presently the story is altogether different. The market has been taken away by private companies like Airtel, Aircel, Reliance, Tata Indicom. So BSNL need to keep pace with them and offer more schemes not only to attract more customers but also to retain the older customers,” said a customer.
  “The demand for such packages is growing at a rapid pace in the Valley. Whichever company is coming here they are coming with new and innovative offers. Customers also are always in search for ways to get benefits,” the official said.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 4 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST