For boosting landline business, BSNL has announced unlimited free calling scheme during night hours from its fixed line phones to any operator including mobile phones anywhere in the country from May 1. The scheme will be operational from 9 PM to 7 AM and would cover all type of connections, BSNL said in a statement.

"BSNL has introduced unlimited free calling during night hours from its landline phones to all landline phones and mobile phones of all service provider's network on all India basis from 1st May," BSNL said. “BSNL landline phone offers voice clarity. Now landline customers can make unlimited calls comfortably anywhere in India to all networks from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. without paying call charges,” the statement added. All major landline general plans of rural and urban areas, landline special plans as well as all major combo (landline with broadband) plans will be covered.

This is a very welcome step by the state run telecom company, which is losing its customers due to the lackluster attitude of its employees. There is a need for the employees to be educated how to deal with the customers and how to provide better service to its customers. The customer friendly private operators provides its customers with hassle free services and the customers even when they know that the service of the private companies are not up to the mark opts for a private service provider.

The user friendly packages of the private companies can easily satisfy the customer needs. Whereas, the packages provided by BSNL is a frustration to its customers. This is the USP of private operators. BSNL has to do a lot to make it a customer friendly service provider. Merely buy offering free night calls will not make BSNL customers favourite. It has to understand the customer requirement and ensure their services and packages are up to the expectations of the customer.

By Premji