The Andhra Pradesh Telecom Circle
of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has
been expanding its communication facilities in
tune with the increasing demand for the service
from various sections of the society. The growth
of telecom took a quantum jump in the last three
years. According to NVR Rama Rao, Chief General
Manager, AP Telecom Circle, the total number of
working connections had gone up to 28, 47, 541
as on  September
30, 2001 from 11,67, 419 in April 1998. Presently,
the AP Telecom covers all the mandals in the state
through 2,789 telephone exchanges. "The AP
Telecom Circle aims at providing consistent and
reliable telecommunication service to the rural
areas. Presently, AP Telecom has enhanced its
rural connectivity to around 23,401 villages in
the state," said NVR Rama Rao. The circle
has been able to achieve such an exponential growth
figures because of its insistence on the innovative
technology, which has helped it to provide better
services to its subscribers.
 The
AP Telecom covers many villages through the Public
Telephones (PTs), Multi Access Radio Relay (MARR),
Subscriber Trunk Dialing (STD) etc. And by setting
'Internet Dhabas', around 1007 mandal headquarters
in the state have been connected tothe rest of
the world. And the access from Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN) to cellular operators
has been improved. In addition to the indigenous
C-Dot exchanges, around 10 lakh liners of Alcatel
new technology, around 67,000 lines of Siemens
technology, and around 5,000 lines for AT&T technology
have been provided during the year 2000-2001.
"AP Telecom is gearing to focus on the customer
service in order to stay ahead of the competition
in the light of the increased private participation
in the telecommunication sector," said Mr
Rama Rao.
 The
AP Telecom recently opened a 'Public Grievance
Cell' at the Chief Manager, Telecom Office
with an easy to remember access code 1094. This
toll free number can be accessed from any part
of the state. Commercially important customers
and corporate customers with very high bill amounts
were identified for better attention. Account
managers were appointed to cater to all the service
needs of such identified customers. The website
of the AP Telecom has been updated to provide
all the required information related to the service
and tariff. A facility to make booking for various
services has been incorporated in the website.
This will enable the district officer to look
into the requirements directly by using e-mail.
In its expansion plans, The AP Telecom has installed
over 5,000 lines equipment in the twin cities
with four base stations to offer wireless service.
Out of the 5,000 lines, 3,750 are fixed wireless
terminals and 1,250 are hand held terminals which
provide limited mobility functionality.
'Drishya', another a value-added facility
from AP Telecom offers you the pleasure of viewing
the person you are talking to over the normal
telephone. "With Drishya, you will be able
to see each other, share emotions, assess reactions
and give shape to your memories. You can gauge
the feedback from your colleagues instantly",
said Mr Rama Rao about the AP Telecom's
pioneering effort to take the state into the future.
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