Kochi: BSNL today commercially launched the country`s first mobile broadband fourth generation Internet access network--Mobile WiMAX in Kerala, making it the first state in urban India to have the facility.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and Ernakulam MP, K V Thomas, launched the facility at a function here today.
BSNL is also the first operator in India which has launched the service, for which technology has been provided by AVIAT, formerly Harris Stratex.
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) technology, can provide a speed of up to 37 mbps. It is being deployed in Kerala with 900 BTS (Base Transmitting Stations) to cover the entire state, E M Abraham, Principal General Manager, BSNL, Ernakulam said.
In the first phase, 450 BTS would be set up to cover all major cities, all district headquarters and important towns at a project cost of about Rs 100 crore. Roaming would initially be available within Kerala.
25 BTS to cover Ernakulam city, Tripunithura, Kalamassery, Aluva and Angamally
muncipalities were commissioned today and another 59 are to be commissioned soon.
In the second phase, another 450 BTS would be commissioned to cover remaining towns and all imporatnt locations. The new technology will provide access to broadband at a
cost performance ratio that is far better than any other technology, he said.
PTI
