State-run telecom firm BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) unveiled first internet telephony service in the country on Wednesday that will allow users to dial any telephone number in India through its mobile app.

BSNL customers will now be able to make calls using the service provider's mobile app "Wings" to any given phone number in India. Until now, phone calls on mobile apps was possible within users of a particular app and not on telephone numbers.

"In present competitive environment, increase in market share by BSNL is laudable. I congratulate BSNL management for internet telephony which will enable consumers to make call without SIM," Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said after inaugurating the service.

With the new service, BSNL customers will be able to make calls on any network in the country even by just using BSNL wi-fi service or from other service provider.

The registration for the service starts this week, while the services will be activated from July 25 onwards.

The Telecom Commission (highest-decision making body of the Department of Telecom), had allowed companies to provide app-based calling service even by using a wi-fi connection to those who hold valid telecom licence.

The service provider will be required to comply with all the interception and monitoring related requirements and calls will be charged by telecom operators and all rules related to normal calls will be applicable on them.

Inputs from PTI