A surfer browses. BSNL unveiled its broadband connectivity offer on Friday, which is rent-free for the first two months and offers free download upto 400 MB

Ranchi, Nov. 11: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) landline subscribers can enjoy free broadband services for two months, thanks to a special trial scheme unveiled by the telecom major here today.

Giving details of the scheme, deputy general manager (operations) Dilip Kumar said registration and installation charges, along with monthly rental (for two months), would be waived under the scheme. A refundable security deposit of Rs 250, however, will be charged.

?The amount will be refunded once the customer chooses not to continue subscribing to the service after two months,? he added, ?The scheme, which will remain open till December 25 in Ranchi and Jamshedpur, is applicable to all Internet dial-up users, both BSNL and non-BSNL.?

The scheme is to woo subscribers to broadband services, the general manager noted.

?The security deposit for CPE (customer premises equipment) will be charged as per Plan-250, under which a maximum of 400 MB will be offered for free download. The customer will have the option of either purchasing the CPE or paying rent with proper security deposit,? he added.

Those applying for the new scheme should bring a copy of the last telephone bill or the number of recharge vouchers with username and password as proof of being an existing dial-up Internet user.

BSNL, which introduced the broadband services on March 31 this year, has already introduced a Home 250 Plan, under which the subscriber has to pay only Rs 250 per month to get DataOne ? the broadband service of the telephone company.

Earlier, the minimum subscription charge was Rs 500.

In Ranchi, the services are available in the exchange areas of Ranchi Main, Ashok Nagar, Sainik Bazar, Bariatu, Morabadi, Lalpur, Ratu Road, CMPDIL, CCL, Hinoo, Mecon, Shyamali and Kadru, the deputy general manager pointed out.

Kumar said the process of capacity enhancement was on in full pace and the entire urban area would be covered under broadband very soon. The connection is available on demand and anyone, having a base line, can get it by submitting an application at the customer service centre at Shaheed Chowk or by applying through the BSNL website.

A demand draft should be enclosed with the application, whose amount will depend on the scheme opted by the applicant. The connection is made available in two to three days.

A significant feature of the broadband service is that it ensures 24-hour Internet connectivity, where the telephone and Internet can be used simultaneously.

Broadband refers to a connection, which has the capacity to transmit large amount of data at a high speed. At present, a connection having a download speed of 256 kbps or more is classified as broadband. When connected to the Internet, such a connection allows the user to surf, work or download faster, in comparison to a dial-up or any other similar types of connection, informed the deputy general manager.