Question : CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE

(a) whether the Government have introduced MTNL Dolphin Cellular Telephone Service at reduced monthly rent and call charges forcing the private cellular telephone companies to reduce their call rate subsequently;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether MTNL had introduced limited range cellular service a year back having monthly rental charges higher than the Dolphin Cellular Service;

(d) if so, whether the Government propose to bring the monthly rental charges at par with the Dolphin Service;

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether the cellular service of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited(BSNL) has been started;
(g) if so, the details thereof indicating the cities and towns covered thereunder, State-wise;
(h) the present pattern of charges of MTNL and BSNL;
(i) whether BSNL is tying up with any other company; and
(j) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) to (j): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (j) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 65 FOR 26TH FEBRUARY, 2001 REGARDING CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE.

(a) to (e): MTNL has started its Dolphin Cellular Telephone Service based on GSM (Global System for Mobile) technology at Delhi from 7th February, 2001 and propose to start the service in Mumbai from 27th February, 2001. The tariff announced for this service by MTNL was substantially lower than the then tariff of the private operators. The details of MTNL tariff are enclosed at Annexure-I. After the announcement of tariff by the MTNL, private operators have also reduced their tariff subsequently.

MTNL had introduced limited range mobile service based on WLL (Wireless in Local Loop) technology on 2nd October, 1999 with monthly rental of Rs. 600/-. However, the call charges were only Rs. 1.40/- for outgoing call of 3 minutes. There is no charge for incoming calls.

There is hardly any comparison between the two services as the cellular mobile service is based on GSM technology and provides full mobility along with roaming facility and other value added services whereas WLL service provides only limited mobility without any roaming facility. The quality of service is also not the same. Although, the rental for WLL service is presently higher, this is subject to determination of rental by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). The call charges on the other hand are very much on the lower side.

(f) to (j): BSNL has so far introduced Cellular Service based on GSM technology in the cities of Patna and Hazipur in the State of Bihar. The present tariff for the BSNL cellular service is enclosed at Annexure-II. There is no proposal at present in BSNL for tying up with any other company for this service.