BSNL customers expecting 4G services to be rolled out any time soon in the twin cities are bound to be disappointed. The launch is likely to happen only in March 2019.
However, 4G services in rest of Telangana is likely to be made available this year itself with testing of equipment taking place in Wyra (Khammam) and Jadcherla (Mahabubnagar), said Chief General Manager of TS Telecom Circle V. Sundar.
“It will cost up to ₹300 crore for introducing 4G services in the capital and we have already requisitioned the head office about the project requirements. We are spending ₹120 crore for the services in rest of the State and the equipment is already in place,” Mr. Sundar said at a press conference at the Doorsanchar Bhavan on Wednesday.
About 200 ‘nodes’ or towers will be required for 4G services in the districts whereas 409 nodes will be required for rolling out the services in Hyderabad and its environs. In the meantime, BSNL is going ahead with expansion of 2G and 3G infrastructure with 186 towers to be installed in addition to the existing 1,100.
For expansion of 2G network, 373 new state-of-the-art equipment will be installed to swap with the existing equipment to enable customers to experience enhanced voice and data speeds.
Another 688 towers are being planned for improving the 3G network this year with 169 sites added last year, he explained.
The CGM claimed that the agency had increased its market share from 11.63% to 11.83%, contrary to what many think but its annual revenue has seen a dip with last year’s being ₹2,115 crore (2017-18) as against ₹2,400 crore the previous year.
This was more because of introducing competitive tariff plans and recently, the total commission to the channel partners has been increased to 12%, the highest in the country. New attractive plans include ‘Patanjali BSNL plan’ a special enterprise plan for the group allowing them unlimited calls, 2GB data, 100 SMSs for vouchers of ₹144, ₹792 and ₹1,584.
Apart from ‘Ananth 105 & Plus - 328’ allowing unlimited calls for 26 days and 90 days, respectively, for 180 days validity except in Delhi and Mumbai, BSNL has introduced ‘Eid-Mubarak 786’ offer up to June 26 offering unlimited calls, 2GB and 100 messages with 150 days validity.
With regard to the Wi-Fi services, another 300 sites are to be thrown open to the public in addition to the 170 in rural areas and 71 in urban/tourist places. New broadband plans include ‘BSNL family plan BBG Combo ULD 1199’ with unlimited net, free landline, etc.
