After much delay, BSNL launches 4G services in Kanchi, but raises doubts over its quality
Yogesh Kabirdoss | TNN | Updated: Mar 31, 2019, 05:50 IST
Representative imageCHENNAI: Almost seven years after private telecom service providers launched 4G services in the country, state-owned BSNL on Saturday, in a low key affair, launched 4G services in the rural pockets of Kancheepuram, about 80km south of Chennai.
BSNL said its 4G services are being offered using 3G spectrum, causing trade unions to question the quality of the service launched. The new facility will, however, not be available in Chennai since it would cause disruptions to existing 3G connections. In the areas currently chosen in Kancheepuram, BSNL offers only 2G services. In Chennai circle of BSNL, which includes Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur districts as well, the telecom operator has a 11% subscriber base among mobile phone users.
A press release by BSNL on Saturday said the 4G services would be available in Deviriambakkam, Karunguzhi, P V Kalathur, Rajakulam, Govindavadi, Magaral, Pakkam and Pularmbakkam villages.
“The 4G services will be extended to about 200 places in other rural areas of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Tiruthani and Chengalpet in a month’s time,” the press release by deputy general manager (public relations), BSNL Chennai Telephones said.
C K Mathivanan, national senior vice president of National Federation of Telecom Employees (BSNL), claimed the quality of the 4G service cannot match with that of the spectrum. “BSNL’s application seeking 4G spectrum is gathering dust on the tables of department of telecommunications (DoT) for two years. Why have they not provided 4G spectrum rights to BSNL when private telecom operators have been given the nod,” questioned Mathivanan.
When contacted, a BSNL official, refuting qualms about quality of the service, said only the frequency used to offer the new service belongs to 3G and that equipment have been upgraded suitably. “We have tested the speed. It is more than 25MBPS, matching the speed of 4G services offered by private telecom operators in the city,” he said. BSNL sources too confirmed that their subscribers in the state capital cannot enjoy 4G services, as it will have an adverse impact on 3G services.
BSNL said its 4G services are being offered using 3G spectrum, causing trade unions to question the quality of the service launched. The new facility will, however, not be available in Chennai since it would cause disruptions to existing 3G connections. In the areas currently chosen in Kancheepuram, BSNL offers only 2G services. In Chennai circle of BSNL, which includes Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur districts as well, the telecom operator has a 11% subscriber base among mobile phone users.
A press release by BSNL on Saturday said the 4G services would be available in Deviriambakkam, Karunguzhi, P V Kalathur, Rajakulam, Govindavadi, Magaral, Pakkam and Pularmbakkam villages.
“The 4G services will be extended to about 200 places in other rural areas of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Tiruthani and Chengalpet in a month’s time,” the press release by deputy general manager (public relations), BSNL Chennai Telephones said.
C K Mathivanan, national senior vice president of National Federation of Telecom Employees (BSNL), claimed the quality of the 4G service cannot match with that of the spectrum. “BSNL’s application seeking 4G spectrum is gathering dust on the tables of department of telecommunications (DoT) for two years. Why have they not provided 4G spectrum rights to BSNL when private telecom operators have been given the nod,” questioned Mathivanan.
When contacted, a BSNL official, refuting qualms about quality of the service, said only the frequency used to offer the new service belongs to 3G and that equipment have been upgraded suitably. “We have tested the speed. It is more than 25MBPS, matching the speed of 4G services offered by private telecom operators in the city,” he said. BSNL sources too confirmed that their subscribers in the state capital cannot enjoy 4G services, as it will have an adverse impact on 3G services.
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