BSNL has recently announced its internet telephony service in the country, namely, BSNL Wings. BSNL has worked several years with the Indian government to make this service available for the users, and finally, the state-run telco has introduced the service a couple of months ago. BSNL Wings is the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service which allows users to stay connected and make calls using an internet connection. This service is essentially useful in areas where people don't have proper cellular connectivity. Normally, in India, users are heavily relying on services such as WhatsApp Messenger or Facebook Messenger to make voice calls when there's no cellular connectivity, but BSNL wants to replace them with its VoIP service- Wings. Here's everything you need to know about BSNL Wings.
Why Does BSNL Wings Service Exist?
The main reason to launch Wings has been to avail cellular and calling facility to the subscribers even with poor cellphone connectivity. In the most rural parts of the country, where the subscribers struggle to make calls, with Wings they will be capable of making calls if they have an internet connection, no matter from whichever operator it is. In fact, users will also be capable of making calls with public Wi-Fi internet connectivity.
BSNL Wings Also Offers Free Video Calling
Subscribers will only need to download the Wings application on their mobile phone to make use of this facility and pay a one-time fee to be eligible to use Wings for a year. The applications will support Wings to Wings video calling. Further, it is notable that since Wings uses the Packet Switching Technology, it is going to allow users to make calls from any fixed or handheld device without a SIM card, users will be able to make calls from their laptops, desktops, landlines or even a SIM-less mobile phone.
BSNL Wings is Not Free Though
As of now, BSNL is offering its Wings service to the subscribers for just Rs 1,099 for an entire year. By paying this onetime fee in the beginning, subscribers will be able to make unlimited calls over the Wings app for a whole year. However, to start using the service, subscribers will first need to download SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), after which a 10-digit subscription ID will be allocated to the customers.
Further, they will receive a 16-digit PIN on their registered email address, using which the subscribers will be able to activate their Wings service. Now to make a call, users will need to ensure that their device is connected to the internet whether by data or by Wi-Fi. They will be able to use their existing contact list to make calls from the Wings app.
BSNL Wings Also Allows International Voice Calls
Wings will also allow international calls on the application. However, subscribers should make note that the ISD deposit for making these calls would be Rs 2,000 and the calls will be chargeable as per the existing landline tariff for international calls.
BSNL Wants to Take On WhatsApp
With its VoIP service, BSNL is taking on popular messaging platform WhatsApp. However, WhatsApp is offering the voice and video calling service for free, unlike BSNL which is charging for a year.