Two `base trans-receiver stations' commissioned in Tuticorin

The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has commissioned two Base Trans-receiver Stations (BTS) at Kovilpatti and Authoor to improve the cellular service in the district, N.R. Natarajan, General Manager, BSNL, has said.

Speaking to media persons here on Monday, he said that to enhance the quality of coverage, 14 more cell BTS would be established before the end of the current fiscal.

Of this, five BTS at Puthiyamputhur, Threspuram, Tiruchendur, Alanthalai and Pudhugramam would be commissioned before September 30, while the work on the remaining nine stations was under progress.

"At present, 69 cell BTS, including the 49 stations established under the Indian Mobile Personal Communication System project, were functioning in the district."

On the Broad Band Services, he said the service would be extended to subscribers at Kovilpatti before the month-end.

"We now have the capacity to offer only 120 connections at Kovilpatti, though there are 150 persons figured in the waiting list."

The BBS would be extended to Tiruchendur and Kayalpattinam too in a phased manner shortly.

The GM said broadband connections were now available `on demand' to the customers in Tuticorin, provided the customers were ready to purchase `Digital Subscriber Loop modem' on their own.

He said the security deposits for STD and ISD Public Call Offices had been reduced from Rs 5,000 to Rs 3,000, to facilitate setting up of more STD/ISD booths.

Similarly, activation charges for post-paid cellular services were reduced from Rs 200 to Rs 100.

Close on the heels of the launch of the telephone directory a few days ago, which was updated till June 30, 2005, the BSNL now plans to release a supplementary directory before October 31.

"It would have the telephone numbers updated as on September 30, 2006," the GM said.

Bid to get ISO certification

Mr. Natarajan said that efforts were on now to obtain ISO 9001 certification (quality management) for the Tuticorin telecom district through enhanced customer satisfaction and continual improvement of performance.

"With quality management in place, we expected to reduce the customer migration to other service providers," he added.

Later, Mr Natarajan held an interface with the customers to listen to grievances.

Source: The Hindu