The Cabinet recently approved the merger of BSNL and MTNL and it seems like we don't have to wait for a more extended period to see the changes come into effect. While the merger is said to happen in the coming months, BSNL has started providing free voice calls to MTNL customers in Mumbai and Delhi. Yes, you heard it right. Popular BSNL plans like Rs 429, Rs 485 and Rs 666 now offer voice calling to MTNL network as well. BSNL has made this move right after the announcement of the merger between two state-run telcos. For the unaware, BSNL is operating in 20 telecom circles, while MTNL operates in Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles. After the merger, it seems like there will be only one state-run telco and it could be BSNL as all the MTNL customers may be migrated to BSNL. Right now, there's no info on how the merger will work, but it's a good thing to see BSNL offering free voice calls to MTNL users as well.
These 3 BSNL Prepaid Plans Offer Free Voice Calls to MTNL Network
BSNL has a plethora of prepaid plans under its belt and most of them do not offer unlimited voice calling when you're in Mumbai and Delhi circles because MTNL operates in those circles. According to the latest information available, BSNL's three popular prepaid plans- Rs 429, Rs 485 and Rs 666 will now offer free voice calls to MTNL mobile customers as well. For example, you're a BSNL customer on Rs 666 prepaid recharge, and now, you can make free voice calls to MTNL customers as well.
But sadly, BSNL is still limiting the voice calls to 250 minutes per day. “Unlimited voice facility including MTNL network in Mumbai and Delhi with FUP (Customer using more than 250 minutes outgoing minutes [(local+STD+outgoing Roaming) (On-net/off-net) as per Unlimited recharge benefits] in a day will be charged at base plan tariff, after consumption of 250 minutes for the rest of the day till midnight 0.00hrs.),” says BSNL.
It comes as a decent move from BSNL because the merger will happen once the revival package reaches both the telcos. Aforesaid, only these three plans offer unlimited calling to MTNL customers, but we're expecting other plans as well to become part of this scheme very soon.
BSNL Merger With MTNL: What You Need to Know
BSNL and MTNL last generated revenues way back in 2009, and since then, both are loss-making PSUs. The new government led by Narendra Modi very recently revealed that BSNL and MTNL would be merged. Post the merger, it is said that MTNL will act as the subsidiary of BSNL. As part of the revival plan, the government will put in Rs 29,937 crore on both the telcos to make them compete with the private telcos in the coming years.
The revival package means BSNL will get 4G spectrum and it already confirmed to deploy 60,000 4G sites in the next 15 months. And the Cabinet also confirmed that the 4G airwaves would be allocated to BSNL at 2016 spectrum prices.
With support from the government, BSNL may tackle the private telcos in a better way and with 4G services, of course. The merger with MTNL will also boost the subscriber base by a small margin. Combined, BSNL and MTNL are currently having a market share of over 10%, as of August 31, 2019.
