BSNL unveils first internet telephony service in India

State-run telecom firm BSNL on Wednesday unveiled the first internet telephony service in the country that will allow users to dial any telephone number in India through its mobile app.

Now BSNL customers will be able to make calls using the company's mobile app "Wings" to any phone number in the country.

Before this, phone calls on mobile apps was possible within users of a particular app and not on telephone numbers.

"This services will help the public overcome connectivity problems even in areas having patchy signals," Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said after inaugurating the service.

Using this service, BSNL customers will be able to make calls on any network in the country even by using BSNL WiFi or any other service provider.

Those subscribing to the new service, entailing one-time registration fee of Rs 1,099, will be able to make calls using any internet connection, including broadband, WiFi, 3G or a 4G data network of an operator, thus overcoming connectivity problems even in areas having patchy signals. The services will be activated from July 25 onwards, BSNL said.

"To use the service, a customer has to install the app on smart devices (like laptop/smart mobile handset/tablet) having internet and make or receive calls from anywhere in India and abroad with any party (landline/mobile)," BSNL said.

Telecom Commission, the highest-decision making body of the Department of Telecom, had allowed companies who hold valid telecom licence to provide app-based calling service even by using a WiFi connection.