MUMBAI, May 14: The Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) today directed its vigilance squads to crack down on the use of illegal disconnectors by privately operated Public Call Offices (PCOs) in Mumbai and its suburbs.

Also, Mumbaiites worried about their calls getting disconnected in the middle of a conversation can now relax, with MTNL promising to expand the Customer Service Management System (CSMS). A scheme to be introduced on a large scale by the MTNL is the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), the first of its kind in the country. The network will enable transfer of messages and data at a speed of 64 kilobytes per second, which is much faster than the current speed of 9.6 kilobytes per second. Through this scheme, two to eight telephones can be connected in a single line and simultaenously used. The subscriber will have to pay a minimum of Rs 5000 per month as rent and Rs 3000 for the installation of the facility.

Gupta claimed this new system would allow for computerised registration of calls, billing, collection and speedy accounting processes.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.