Patna, Dec. 1: Customers of state-owned telecommunications company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are likely to get facilities like that enjoyed by BlackBerry users. Today, the Bihar telecom circle of BSNL launched the push mail and personal information management (PIM) sync services provided by Bharat Berry.

With Bharat Berry, BSNL customers would be able to use high-end services on their GPRS or Wi-Fi or 3G-enabled handsets. No longer would residents be forced to buy smartphones that are likely to set them back by Rs 10,000 or more to avail the services.

The service was launched at a news meet at Sanchar Sadan on Budh Marg. Vijay Kumar, BSNL chief general manager, Bihar circle, said: “Bharat Berry will provide services similar to that of BlackBerry to BSNL customers. Using the push mail service, BSNL customers would be able to operate their email accounts and get instant email notifications on their handsets. The PIM sync service on the other hand would allow the user to synchronise contacts, calendars, notes and tasks on their mobile handsets with the BSNL Bharat Berry server. The server would work as a phone backup facility from where users can retrieve information as and when required. Our customers would not be required to buy expensive handsets like those of BlackBerry to avail these high-end services, as these would be available on handsets compatible with GPRS or Wi-Fi or 3G data network services.”

To access these promised services, BSNL users would need to send a text message —SUB BB — to 51123. They would soon receive a message from the BSNL server with a thank you note and a link to the Bharat Berry application installation stage. Users would then have to fill out the required information to finally enjoy the services. BSNL customers can pay Rs 50 per month for the push mail service, Rs 50 per month for PIM sync or can avail a combo plan of Rs 80 per month. If they want to unsubscribe from the services, users would have to visit bsnl.bharatberry.com or send another text message — UNSUB BB — to 51123.

To serve its customers better, BSNL Bihar telecom circle has also started a call centre at the Patel Nagar Telephone Exchange building from November 26. The call centre would address problems of BSNL subscribers in Bihar and Jharkhand.

“At present, subscribers in Bihar and Jharkhand circles are served through a call centre in Calcutta but issues cropped up because of communication troubles,” added Vijay.

Around 1,000 recruits at the call centre will have a better understanding of the local dialect and would be able to serve the customers better,” added Vijay.