Trivandrum: As a prelude to the rollout of their much delayed 4G services, the public sector telecom service provider, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Kerala Circle has started issuing 4G SIM cards free to their mobile customers.
Existing mobile users of BSNL can give a missed call to 9497979797 to check if the SIM card in their phone needs an upgrade. Those having a 2G/3G SIM will get a message, “Dear Customer, your current SIM does not support 4G services. Please approach the nearest BSNL Customer care centre or Retailer for a FREE SIM replacement. BSNL Kerala”
While visiting the Customer care centre or Retailer, please carry an original ID proof of the person in whose name the mobile connection is registered and your phone for receiving the SIM upgrade verification code. Please note there is no service charge for upgrading the SIM card.
The new SIM card should be inserted in the phone once the old SIM displays no signal/network. SMS facility will be barred for 24 hours on the new SIM.
It is interesting that the State-owned enterprise BSNL has been struggling to launch its 4G network while private telecom operators like Airtel and Jio have already rolled out 5G services in many telecom circles. Vodafone Idea is yet to start 5G services.
BSNL had issued a purchase order to TCS for the supply and commissioning of 4G indigenous core and 1,00,000 4G BTS on a pan-India basis at a total cost of Rs. 19,000 crores. The consortium of TCS (for Software support and System Integration), CDOT (for Core technology) and Tejas (for Radio network) was selected by BSNL for implementing BSNL’s 4G project. TCS is the lead partner.
Anil Philip
Kerala Biz News
