MTNL 3G pre-paid card in markets
To attract more users for its third generation mobile services, state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) on Tuesday launched a pre-paid option that will enable customers in Delhi experience high-speed data connectivity at an upfront cost of Rs 300.
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) plans to attract up to 300,000 subscribers for its services.
MTNL had launched its 3G services in January but has only 400 subscribers till now. The pre-paid option is expected to drive up the demand for the company. Mr R. S. P. Sinha, Chairman and Managing Director, MTNL, said he expected at least two lakh 3G users within the first year of operations.
The pre-paid 3G service will be available for Rs 300, with lifetime validity. A customer can make local video calls at Rs 1.8 per minute and download data at Rs 3 per MB. In addition, a subscriber can also choose from data coupons of various denominations to avail of free data downloads, along with making free video calls as per individual requirement.
The Rs 300 pre-paid Jeevan Sathi (Lifetime Trump) card has a talk value of Rs 15 and 3G calls (local video calls) are charged at Rs 1.80 a minute to other MTNL 3G phones. For other networks, it is Rs 3 a minute.
Domestic long distance video calls are priced at Rs 3.75 a minute and ISD video calls are charged at Rs 30 a minute. Data download rates are Rs 3 per MB. The company has also introduced 3G Data coupons ranging from Rs 99 to Rs 2,500 with slabs at Rs 250, Rs 450 and Rs 750.
MTNL was the first company to launch its 3G services in the country in December 2008, after the government gave state-owned operators 3G spectrum ahead of private operators, who are still waiting for the auction of 3G spectrum to start their operations in this space.
The company launched its 3G services in Mumbai last month and will introduce its pre-paid offer in the city by next week.
