BSNL targets 7,00,000 mobile connections in Asom this year

Guwahati, May 17 (UNI) In a major leap, the BSNL has plans to broaden their customer base in the state.

Announcing the company's plans in Asom on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day today, BSNL Chief general manager (Asom Circle) G Rajaram said, '' BSNL has already crossed one million customer base in Asom, extending its service to 95 per cent of the total villages in the state.'' The telecom giant is planning to provide an additional mobile capacity of 7,00,000 lines with more than 550 base towers, extending the service to 200 new towns and covering all villages with population more than 1,000 in Asom this financial year.

Significantly, the BSNL will be the first to give 3-G mobile services to the country this year. The service will give access to video multicast services.

The BSNL has planned roll out of 3-G network in 36 cities across the country, including Asom.

Besides, broadband facility would be extended to all the district headquarters and major towns within the next six months.

Other plans of the country's largest telecom company include increase of WLL coverage by adding 66 new base towers in Asom by March 2008 and wireless fixed phone services in Guwahati and all major towns of Asom this year.

Mr Rajaram said the GSM coverage would be strengthened an the capacity would be extended to 3,00,000 lines within the next three months in the state.

An additional 1,500 km of optical fibre cable network would also be added.

Regarding the company's achievements last year, Mr Rajaram said 72,500 lines of WLL capacity were added last year and 95 WLL base towers commissioned in the state.

'' More than 2,00,000 mobile connections were added in Asom last year, while total revenue crossed Rs 611 crores,'' he added.

UNI