BSNL launches India's first without-SIM internet telephony service
Returning to the fray, state-run telecom operator BSNL announced the launch of India's first general internet telephony service that will allow users to call any number in India without a SIM card. The calls will be facilitated via BSNL's mobile app "Wings". Up until now, internet calls were possible only within users of particular apps, and not on telephone numbers in general. Here's more.
Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha lauds BSNL's initiative
"In present competitive environment, increase in market share by BSNL is laudable. I congratulate BSNL management for internet telephony which will enable consumers to make call without SIM," said Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha at the inauguration event of BSNL's new service.
Wings will also be available for PC
The new service will be particularly useful for those who have poor mobile network connections, but have access to the internet via any wi-fi network. Video calling is supported and will be available between Wings users, and the internet-based calling service will reportedly also be available for use on a computer, thereby allowing for added functionality.
The tech behind BSNL's internet telephony service
BSNL Wings is being provided using IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), an architectural framework for making internet calls, and Next Generation Network (NGN) that basically converts voice, data and videos into IP packets. The required IP client, in this case, is the Wings app.
BSNL is offering unlimited audio and video calling
Registration for Wings will begin this week, and the service be available from July 25. For now, BSNL is offering unlimited audio and video calling for a year, and BSNL users can activate the service for domestic calls with a one-time recharge of Rs. 1,099. International calls will be charged as per extant landline tariffs, and will require a Rs. 2,000 ISD deposit.
