The Hindu Business Line : BSNL set for Rs 1,000-cr broadband push

BHARAT Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has targeted five million users with its latest Rs 1,000 crore-plus ADSL (asynchronous digital subscriber loop)-based broadband services, slated for launch in 200 cities across the country by the end of the year. The contracts for this project have been recently cleared.

The Director of BSNL, Mr N.K. Mangla, told Business Line, "We are set to usher in a broadband revolution in the country where corporates, educational institutions and even homes could take advantage of the power of broadband through the same copper wires."

Streaming of voice, data and video services on demand and even cable TV, if the users want will be made available. "With a capacity to offer 2 mbps, we would be able to offer subscribers this services through the same copper reaching their home now," Mr Mangla said.

"This service is to be offered by support from a consortium of technology service providers that include Huawei Technologies, UT Starcom and HCL Technologies and ITI. The project would also enable BSNL to expand the existing Internet service from 12 lakh connections to 30 lakh by the end of the year 2005," he explained.

Supported by the National Information Backbone (NIB), and a network of optical fibre cable of over 4,30,000 km, BSNL would be able to enhance its VPN (virtual private network) services to more users. The Rs 200-crore project is backed by HCL, he said.

"Alongside this initiative, BSNL is working towards offering narrowband services that would help cover about 3 million users across the country by the end of year 2005. Both these contracts have been recently awarded," Mr Mangla said.

For the broadband push, the southern market is important for BSNL. "The Rs 200-crore ADSL project being handled by Huawei, UTR Starcom and HCL, would enable us to offer broadband services across circles in the country," he added.

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