BSNL plans to offer low cost smartphones bundled with low tariff plans

State-owned Telecom operator, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) after completing 17 years of service has plans to offer low cost smartphones to its customers in the form bundled offers. The nationwide launch will follow shortly as the operator is in the process of signing the deals with two local manufacturers from whom BSNL has plans to source them.[caption id="attachment_4114941" align="alignleft" width="380"]

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Reuters[/caption]The news comes from The Hindu which reveals that BSNL has tied up with Micromax and Lava, two local smartphone manufacturers that will offer some low cost handsets to the operator.While the pricing of the devices have not been fixed, the operator expects the devices to be priced in the range of "Rs 2,500 or less." Principal general manager- Hyderabad telecom district, K, Ramchand told the publication that the final cost is still being worked out, but the devices will be affordable.The state-owned operator has also chosen local manufacturers as part of the Make in India initiative.The above information was revealed at a press conference held in Telangana where the operator also confirmed its plans for setting up around 118 rural Wi-Fi exhanges in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.Apart from the above, BSNL officials also claimed that they are going to strengthen local networks and has already placed orders for new GSM equipment under 'Phase 8' with plans to set up an additional 400 new sites from April next year. The same is also expected to coincide with BSNL's 4G roll out.