BSNL rolls out first urban mobile WiMAX service

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited on Saturday commercially launched the country's first mobile broadband fourth generation Internet access network -- Mobile WiMAX in Kerala.

Union minister of state for agriculture and consumer affairs K V Thomas launched the facility at a function in Kochi on Saturday.

BSNL is also the first operator in the country to launch the service, for which technology has been provided by AVIAT, formerly Harris Stratex. 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, principal general manager, BSNL, Ernakulam, E M Abraham said.

In the first phase, 450 BTS would be set up to cover all major cities, district headquarters and important towns at a project cost of about Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion).

In the second phase, another 450 BTS would be commissioned to cover the remaining towns.

The technology will provide access to broadband at a cost performance ratio that is far better than any other technology, he said. It provides features like high speed broad band connectivity anywhere, anytime for devices like Desktop, Laptop on wireless.

It has two tariff plans -- Home Plan with a fixed monthly charge of Rs 999 while the Business plan is Rs 1,999 for a band width 512 to 2 mbps.