BSNL LAUNCHED VVOIP SERVICES

State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched its Voice and Video over Internet Protocol (VVoIP) service in the country. BSNL has partnered with Sai Infosystem (SiS) to kick off the high speed Internet phone services. With the new services, BSNL subscribers will be able to make audio and video calls
at will on any landline, mobile or Internet Protocol phone anywhere in the world, provided both the ends have video phone equipment.
Sam Pitroda, advisor to the Prime Minister of India on public information, infrastructure and innovation,launched the service by making first VVoIP call. The service will be initially available in Ahmedabad and by the end of this month, the service will be launched in
the entire Gujarat state. According to officials, by the end of March 2012, the service will be available pan-India.
According to BSNL officials, the new service is going to be economical as compared to other conventional video conferencing services. The state-run company is also said to be working with leading international carriers to ensure smooth international calls.
The customers will be charged 40 paise per minute for audio and Rs. 2 per minute for video calls within the country over VVoIP. The international call charges are
also pretty low as a call to the US will cost Rs. 1.20 per minute, to the UK it will cost Rs. 1.20 on landline,Rs. 7.20 to mobile, and Rs. 1.20 per minute to China.BSNL will offer the VVoIP services at a monthly rental of Rs. 150 only.