BSNL Cell Broadcast Services

Introduction Cell Broadcast is capable of broadcasting one single message to reach all mobile handsets in an area as small as one radio cell and as big as the network area of the entire PLMN. Cell Broadcast allows a text or binary message to be displayed or scrolled on all mobile terminals connected to a single sector of a cell or set of cells. SMS is sent from point-to-point, Cell Broadcast (SMS- CB) message is sent as point-to-area. SMS-CB message can reach a huge number of terminals at once.

Introduction (Contd--) Messages are directed to radio cells, rather than to a specific terminal. These push messages are sent as unconfirmed push service, meaning that the originator of the message does not know who all have received the message.

Technical structure Cell Broadcast Centre (CBC) is the heart of the Cell Broadcast System and acts as a server for all CBEs (Cell Broadcast Entities). It administers all SMS-CB messages it received from the CBEs and does the communication towards the GSM network. GSM network takes care of delivering the SMS-CB messages to the mobile terminals, which have enabled Cell-info display in their handsets.

Limitations The service is dependent on the type of handset used. Many handsets, both at top end and at entry level, do not support CBS. There exists certain MAKE of handsets, which take CBS messages as normal SMS. Further, the size of 83 characters severely limits its ability to be used for mass usable applications

BSNL,s Status BSNL had Cell Broadcast Systems at Zonal levels, being used for providing the cell id info. LBEs are extended to each of the circles in the zone, using which, the circles can send circle specific information over the BTS under its jurisdiction area. The service was not being used on commercial basis except in Tamilnadu & Haryana Circles, which were using it for advertisement of local businesses with fixed charging per month per sector

Action Plan The system can be used for revenue generation by commercial utilization of this channel in all zones/circles/SSA. Sales & Marketing and Enterprise Business teams in SSA/Circles need to be assigned Monthly/weekly target,to approach various organizations like hotels, restaurants, showrooms, product owners and service providers for informing the use of Cell Broadcast channel and its tariff.

Tariff The introductory offer of tariff for next 6 months is below Sr.noMonthly TariffRemarks 1Rs. 20/- per day/Sector or Rs 300 month/ Sector (taxes extra) One Cell (BTS) has 3 sectors

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