BANGALORE: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) has decided to expand its fixed-line telephone network and improve service quality in Bangalore. There are now 10 million connections on the network.

The BSNL's Bangalore Telecom District (BTD) will adopt a three-pronged approach — modernise the fixed wireless network, replace obsolete cables and minimise cable length.

Speaking after releasing the BTD's main telephone directory here on Friday, Chief General Manager (CGM) of Karnataka Telecom Circle S. Ramaganapathy said the BSNL will upgrade to 2001X CDMA (code-division multiple access) technology on a par with private operators. This will help offer Internet and SMS (short messaging service) besides voice facility to far-flung areas and places where it is not possible to lay new cables.

Replacement of cables

Mr. Ramaganapathy said laying of paper-insulated cables in many localities has led to disruption in services during rainy days, and the BTD has decided to replace them with jelly-coated cables. Once municipal authorities give permission, the cables will be replaced to provide uninterrupted services, he added.

More significant is the decision is to "minimise cable length" between the telephone exchange and the premises where connection has been given, by installing remote switches, he said. The longer the cable the greater the possibility of disruption in service, he added.

Mr. Ramaganapathy said that with enhanced cable capacity, the BSNL will be able to offer Internet on broadband up to 21 MB per second, and voice (telephone), data (Internet) and video simultaneously.

He said the BSNL has invited expression of interest from content providers. Before long, it will be possible to provide subscribers cable television through telephone lines.

The BSNL has decided to rename the "Home Plan" for broadband (400 MB download at Rs. 250 a month) as "Starter Plan" and make it available to commercial subscribers too.

2005-2006 was a good year for the Karnataka Telecom Circle, especially in expansion of the GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) cellphone network, Mr. Ramaganapathy said.

The number of cellphone connections has increased from seven lakh in April 2005 to 13 lakh, he noted.

The BSNL's free two-month promotional broadband offer got a good response. Most customers who opted for free trial have decided to continue the service. Although there was no significant increase in the number of fixed line connections, the BSNL was able to bring down the number of subscribers surrendering connections, he added.

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