Karnataka - Bangalore   

Airtel launches fast broadband link

BANGALORE: Broadband speeds are poised for an explosive growth. Pushing the limits, Bharti Airtel on Wednesday announced the launch of broadband internet access at 8 mbps for the first time in the country. The speed offered is much more than the 256 kbps to 4 mbps now available for the mass users. At 8 mbps, the Airtel broadband network will be IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) ready.

The high speed broadband will be commercially available within the next three weeks in Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Delhi and the National Capital Region, with a subsequent roll out in Mumbai and Hyderabad.

“With 8 mbps, our customers will be able to download heavy files, view streaming video and enjoy online gaming. They can browse on multiple windows at the same time without compromising on the performance of any application,” said Atul Bindal, President, Broadband and Telephone Services, Bharti Airtel Ltd., India.

Here’s what it means for the end user: Customers will no longer have to wait for a video to get buffered while watching streaming videos. A 5mb music file can be downloaded in five seconds, compared to 160 seconds on a 256 kbps connection, said an Airtel Broadband official.

Built on a model that caters to the customer’s use of the internet to learn, work and play, the 8 mbps broadband access will feature Netexpert, a complete tool for online navigation and PCSecure, a suite of anti-spyware and other security features.

Since most users will not require internet access at very high speeds all the time, Airtel has proposed to introduce 8 mbps broadband as an “on-demand” access for those using lower speeds. This model is expected to be finalised in a fortnight. Likened to “opening tap for some duration,” this feature will help users switch on 8 mpbs for a movie download, for instance, before switching back to slower speeds.

Airtel had invested about Rs. 1,500 crore to boost its fixed line, non-mobile business in the Southern region. About 30 per cent of this investment was for broadband enabling equipment, company officials told presspersons here on Wednesday. “Over two million subscribers now use our broadband service,” said an official.

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