Public Sector mobile operator BSNL has decided to focus on content play, and this report in ET kinda reads like a tender notice: BSNL is inviting proposals for content services from VAS co’s by March 17th. They’re looking for a revenue share deal, and all partnerships will be for a two-year period, albeit extendable. VAS co’s will have to set up the platforms for their services - the hosting infrastructure - at their own cost.

Kuldeep Goyal, CMD of BSNL has told ET that the telco had revenues of Rs. 450 crores last year from non-voice services, around 5 percent of revenues, and they intend to increase the revenue figure to Rs. 2000 for the coming fiscal, around 15 percent of (expected) revenues. However, nothing earth shattering about the content plan - stock prices, entertainment, sports, movie, TV serials, travel, astrology and cricket related content…services that short code operators are already providing. I’m rather skeptical about BSNLs announcement. In the past, they’ve made announcements about WiMax and a broadband rollout, but rarely followed through. The onus here is on the private companies, though.