Chennai to be first in India to get BSNL 4G services 

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | JM RUDHRAN BARAASU

Published Nov 26, 2017, 1:38 am IST

BSNL SIM card users in the city, especially 3G users, are deprived of better service for a long time as the coverage of BSNL is weak.



With 288 4G towers, and more 3G and 2G towers, the state-owned telecom provider is eyeing to regain the customers it lost owing to weak network coverage.

Chennai: With private telecom giants changing the Indian data consumption manner, state-owned telecom provider BSNL is all set to start 4G services in Chennai circle. Chennai will be first city testing BSNL 4G services if everything goes according to the plan.

“We (Chennai circle) are allotted with 288 4G towers, 468 3G towers and 365 2G towers. This equipment will provide quality services to our customers. With new 4G towers, we are starting our 4G operations soon. Chennai will be the first city that will have BSNL 4G service in the country,” a senior official attached with BSNL Chennai circle, said.

BSNL SIM card users in the city, especially 3G users, are deprived of better service for a long time as the coverage of BSNL is weak. “Due to the high rise buildings hindering signal, BSNL 3G coverage is far and few between. This irritates the customers and some opted for other service providers. Coverage inside huge buildings is sometimes weak,” V. Sathiabalan, former member, the telecom advisory committee said.

But the official expressed optimism and said that 1,121 new towers would help BSNL in providing unblemished service to customers. “BSNL Chennai circle is now having 2,700 towers. The new towers and other equipment will be delivered during the first week of December. Immediately we will start installation processes and subsequently 4G operations. Also, we are trying to relocate towers where high rise buildings affect coverage,” the official added.

The close proximity of Chennai with Sriperumbudur, one of the industrial hubs of Tamil Nadu played a major part in offering the chance of boasting first BSNL 4G services in the country. “4G towers, which are allotted are being manufactured in Sriperumbudur. Due to logistics advantage and a considerable number of BSNL users in Chennai, our Delhi head office has decided to start 4G services in Chennai,” the officer explained.

With RJio changing the business model of telecom industry subversively, BSNL has also followed their trail with aggressive plans and competitive offers with unlimited talk-time and data. “Once we complete installing, BSNL Chennai circle will get more equipment that will help compete with private companies,” the official added.