BSNL users can operate landline via mobiles to make calls from abroad

State-owned BSNL on Thursday unveiled an app through which its customers travelling abroad will be able to connect their landlines through mobile and make calls through them without attracting ISD charges. The Fixed Mobile Telephony service, to be operational from April 2, will however attract monthly charge. “Under FMT, we have virtually turned fixed lines into mobiles. Now, BSNL customers will be able to seamlessly connect their fixed line phone and mobile phone through a BSNL mobile application,” BSNL CMD Anupam Shrivastava said after unveiling a range of modern services.

“After installing the app, customers will be able to use their mobile phone to make calls using fixed line connection from anywhere in the world from April 2 onward,” he said. Under the facility, BSNL customers will be able to use landline phones to make calls using mobile network as well. “We are working on tariff for this add-on service. It will be fixed charge on monthly basis for both pre-paid and post-paid customers. However, customers will have to pay call rates as per the network they use,” Shrivastava said.

If they use landline network, then landline plan rates will apply and if they use mobile network then they will have to pay as per their mobile phone bill plan, he said. Under this technology, BSNL has plans to introduce SMS facility on landline phones. “In 2-3 months, BSNL will start providing SMS facility on landline phones. Like calling facility under FMT, people will be able to send and receive SMS on landline phones as well,” BSNL CGM Anil Jain said.