Srinagar, August 21 (Scoop News) – Union Minister of State for Communication & Information Technology (C&IT) Sachin Pilot launched Video Telephony Service over landline in J&K Circle here today.
Briefing media after the launching ceremony, the Union Minister said that it was the priority of the government to provide the best connectivity to the people of the state especially living in the border areas of Jammu & Kashmir. He said Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is the first telecom service provider in the country to offer such high quality video calling service, adding that BSNL customers can also avail this service over their existing broadband connections. He said that video conferences which were so far a costly affair will now be easily available to business and government offices, adding that the facility will also help in treating the patients of far-off and remote areas.
Pilot said that with the launch of video telephony, the organizations can have instant face-to-face meetings, sale reviews and training sessions at 25 per cent of the current cost. He said apart from desk to desk calling, the video phones can also be connected to large screens for superior experience. He said using this service; the video calls can be made within India only for which call charges are just Rs. 2.50 per minute.
The Union Minister said that BSNL would regularly come up with new offerings for the people of the state, adding that it has a plan to make an expenditure of Rs. 55 crore in the State this year. He revealed that the BSNL has a plan to erect 150 new mobile towers in the state in 2012-13. He said 55 mobile towers were erected last year and at present, 1113 BSNL towers are operational across the state. He said out of 6417 inhabited revenue villages, 6363 are covered by installing Village Public Telephones (VPTs). He said in addition to the rest of 54 VPTs of last year, the BSNL would erect 26 additional VPTs in current year to connect the unconnected villages.
Pilot announced that BSNL would erect 108 Wimax Towers during current fiscal to expand the reach of modern telecommunication systems in the state. He said BSNL has 373 exchanges in the state, adding that one more exchange would be opened at Nowgam to fulfill the commitment with the ruralties of the area.
Pilot said that BSNL would install and make operational 267 Satellite Phones in 2012-13 for coordination of Disaster Management efforts in the state. He said 17 institutions of J&K State would be connected to NKN, of which 9 through NKN and 8 through NMEICT program of Ministry of Human Resources Development.
Referring to India Posts, the Union Minister said that presently 1695 post offices are operational in the state. He said 17 post offices have been modernized under the Project Arrow scheme so far at an expenditure of Rs. 2.71 crore, adding that 15 more post offices would be upgraded this year under the project.
Giving brief account of the activities of Post Office in the state including a unique floating Post Office at Dal Lake, conduct of Philately Exhibition in September 2011 after nearly 32 years, starting a special service for delivery of saffron at doorsteps of people and registration of Shri Amarnath JI Yatries at Post Offices, Pilot announced that a Foreign Post Office would also be established at Srinagar for carrying out import and export activities.
The Union Minister announced that a new Head Post Office would be established at Samba for the facilities of the people. The Srinagar Post Office would function on all Sundays and Holidays as well, he added.
Earlier, the Union Minister also chaired a joint meeting of officers of State government, Ministry of Home affairs, BSNL, NIC and Department of Telecommunication convened to review the connectivity related issues in the border areas of the State.