Telecom Lead India: BSNL is strengthening its presence in the enterprise segment.
The state-run BSNL will introduce a range of cloud services including desktop as a service, servers for on demand computer power, cloud storage, elastic file storage, backup and recovery, hosted exchange for mails, security services, video conferencing and software as a service.
Enterprise business is already becoming a focus area for BSNL. Last week, BSNL said it will connect 4,000 Kerala schools with broadband internet. Moreover, IT@School Project of the Kerala government will provide VPN over broadband internet connectivity to 300 education department offices in the state. As per the agreement between the Kerala government and BSNL, there will also be unlimited data sharing without the need to avail normal internet bandwidth.
But BSNL is yet to be recognized as the first choice for enterprises.
Currently, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications and Vodafone are strong in the enterprise segment in India.
Recently, Bharti Airtel tied up with Microsoft to offer cloud based Office 365 solutions to Small and Medium Businesses through its cloud platform. SMBs will benefit as they will have access to Microsoft Office 365 and address their connectivity and productivity needs.
Office 365 along with Airtel’s DSL and Internet Leased Ports/Lines (ILP) services will enable SMBs to create websites with their own domain name, access to the latest releases from Office 365, anti-virus & anti-spam solutions, and access to documents and emails on smart phones using Airtel’s network.
BSNL will also revive its landline and broadband businesses. BSNL enjoys dominant position in both landline and broadband.
Next month, BSNL plans to launch a loyalty program for landline and broadband customers. It will also issue a single bill to corporate customers and provide post-paid bill payment through its retailers to make bill payment more comfortable.
BSNL’s action plans are not in line with its competition in India. For instance, Airtel is taking several innovative steps to prepare its enterprise business division to compete with mobile majors such as Verizon, AT&T, BT, Telefonica, Orange, etc. Airtel will strengthen its development center for enterprise business where developers will get more opportunities for innovation.
BSNL’s recent decision to launch telephones with video calling facility to improve its financial performance is expected to bring in more enterprise customers.
