India’s National Telecom Backbone Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), launches a new short code – ‘1097’ as National AIDS Helpline to NACO (National AIDS Control Organization).
The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), is a division of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides leadership to HIV/AIDS control programme in India and is the nodal organization for formulation of policy and implementation of programs for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in India.
BSNL opened this new short code as per the directions of DOT as a Category-1 Service. This new short code – 1097 can be used as a helpline number related to HIV/AIDS control programme in India. The new short code is available across the country to all the states and union territories of the nation.
The short code 1097 will be opened in all Local Exchanges, TDM Tax / IP Tax / Soft Switches / Mobile MSC / GMSC / WLL MSC of all Telecom circles and mapped with IN number 1800-425-6691. STD code + 1097 will also be opened for inter-circle calls.
As a Category-1 service, this service may also be introduced by other service providers in India. National AIDS Helpline Number ‘1097’,
is available across all circles and the calls from other service
providers may be routed to BSNL as per existing inter connect agreement
charges.
is available across all circles and the calls from other service
providers may be routed to BSNL as per existing inter connect agreement
charges.
Features of National AIDS Helpline Number 1097 are :
- Category-l service’ ( i.e. mandatory service to be provided by at the Access providers )
- Accessibility: Un-restricted, i.e. available on STD also
- Metered Service: Called party pays.
Recently, BSNL opened new toll free short codes 15105 – for Postal Complaints to Department of Posts and 155214 for Labour Helpline as per the directions of DOT in a similar manner.
This is really a good move by DOT & BSNL and we may hope these new helpline numbers will be very much helpful to ordinary people in India.
