Amid criticism of pathetic telephone based Internet services and growing disenchantment of consumers the Bharat Sanchar Nigam limited (BSNl) is contemplating a strategic shift in its approach to address problems of poor Internet services and provide aerial route to World Wide Web as an option to aggrieved consumers of broadband services.
The State-owned telecommunication company is planning to crisscross wireless networks over the sky of Ranchi and strengthen presence of its wireless broadband service—WiMAX—to the delight of consumers who are paying broadband rental and bills without availing services because of broken cable lines which in some areas have not been rectified from months. Chief General Manager of BSNl at Ranchi, KK Thakur was unavailable for his comments on the corporation’s plan to expand wireless network.
“People are facing inconveniences hence there is a proposal to install Wi-MAX at places where cable line is broken. People who are paying rent for broadband therefore they can avail WiMAX till the time broadband services are restored,” said AGM(IT), AK Jha.
Broadband services have been badly hit because of drain construction, road construction and other infrastructure projects in some areas and it has not been restored in some parts. The problem has maligned image of the state owned corporation as it has become a subject of criticism for sending usage bills to consumer without providing Internet services. As per the proposal, Wi-MAX machines are likely to be installed at seven places in first phase in Ranchi to meet demands of Internet especially of broadband users.
“If cable line is broken then the priority is to provide connectivity to consumers of cable broadband service. However, that also depends on the capacity of the WiMAX. If one tower runs out of capacity then another can be setup to hook more users to it,” added the AGM (IT).
According to sources, WiMAX BTS has been installed at Kanta Toli whereas similar machine will be installed at Bariatu, Telephone exchange situated in Upper Bazaar, Pandra and three other locations. The BTS machines provide connectivity in the radius of 7-8kms. The wireless infrastructure would provide Internet speed of 2mbps (megabytes per second) and is considered a cheaper option compared to the cable based broadband connection. Commercial Manager of BSNl, RK Tiwari could not be reached to know implications of focusing more on wireless broadband service.
Meanwhile, sources in the BSNl confided that the WiMAX facility was primarily meant for rural areas however it could not be effectively used in rural pockets and that is the reason it is being used in urban areas to provide Internet services in areas where cable lines have been broken.