The closest experience as an alternative to personal interaction is face-to-face communication. And sensing a strong demand for such kind of communication services, Ahmedabad-based SIS has recently launched video phone services on the  BSNL Broadband Network. TelecomTiger takes you through an interaction with, Pillappan Karuppiah, GM, Sales and Marketing, SIS.

Q1. BSNL’s recently launched video call services over 3G network, came under scanner of the government security agencies. Do you apprehend that your video phone services may also come under similar scrutiny?

Ans: No, I do not think our video phone services will meet similar fate. BSNL has taken respectable amount of time to decide on this particular venture, I am quite sure that they would have analyzed from their end to ensure that it falls within the paradigm of the various government norms.

Q2. Pertaining to 3G services controversy, the issue as pointed out by the government security agencies was that of the difficulty in monitoring the real time of such services. Is real time monitoring possible in your case?

Ans: Our services will be built  in with lawful interception as defined by ITU for a telecom company. Moreover all the norms made by Govt. of India for the LI implementation will be adhered to. In fact it was one of the pre-requisites from BSNL side. We have committed to provide LI for certain number of lines, as required by BSNL, for 8 Govt. agencies at any point of time. Moreover we have given an assurance to BSNL that in future too any requirment for LI as defined by Govt. agencies will be adhered to.

Q3. You have positioned your service on the affordability aspect. But do you think you will be able to convince subscribers about the initial upfront cost required to be made in procuring terminals?

Ans: In my opinion, the initial cost should not be considered as an entry barrier. For example: If you opt for a feature-rich mobile handset, it will cost one from anything above Rs.10,000, which is exactly the price we are toying with for the introductory low end devices. Therefore, I definitely do not think the price is a factor to worry about.

Secondly, we are looking to come out with various kinds of options, including outright purchase, lease finance option and rental option for the handsets. People from  can choose the correct option that suits their pocket.