BSNL Starts First Internet Telephony Service in India

Now BSNL customers can make internet calls using the company’s mobile app “Wings”.

(Photo: The Quint)

State-run telecom firm BSNL on 11 July unveiled its first internet telephony service out of the country that will allow users to dial any telephone number in India through its mobile app.

Now BSNL customers will be able to make calls using the company’s mobile app “Wings” to any phone number in the country.

Before this, phone calls on mobile apps was possible within users of a particular app and not directly to telephone numbers. This was possible with apps like Skype, Whatsapp and Google Duo among others.

In the present competitive environment, the increase in market share by BSNL is laudable. BSNL internet telephony will enable consumers to make calls without SIM.

Manoj Sinha, Telecom Minister

Using this service, BSNL customers will be able to make calls on any network in the country even by using BSNL Wi-Fi or any other internet service provider.

Telecom Commission, the highest-decision making body of the Department of Telecommunication, had allowed companies who hold valid telecom licences, to provide app-based calling services even by using Wi-Fi connections.

The service provider will be required to comply with all the interception and monitoring related requirements and calls will be charged by telecom operators and all rules related to normal calls will be applicable on them.

The registration for this service will start this week and the services will be activated from July 25 onwards.