In almost six months after it was announced, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) on Monday launched its Wireless broadband called WiMAX’
with a target of 10,000 customers for the first year. Twenty-five Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) have been installed on mobile towers across the state, mostly in urban and coastal areas, to serve the purpose, said BSNL officials.
What is Wimax?
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX is a telecommunications technology that provides wireless transmission of data
Where is it available in Goa?
* Launched by BSNL and its technology partner, SOMA Networks Inc, WiMAX is available in Mandrem, Colvale, Siolim, Anjuna, Tivim, Mapusa, Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Pilerne, Porvorim, Panaji, Dona Paula, Corlim, Kundaim, Vasco, Verna, Cuncolim, Chinchinim, Navelim, Mandopa, Margao, Mobor, Varca, Majorda and Colva. Benaulim will be covered under the Colva tower.
* In the second phase, tentatively scheduled for early next year, Bicholim, Valpoi, Sanquelim, Sanguem and Quepem will be covered.
* BSNL does not offer on-the-move WiMAX coverage at the moment. For instance, if you wish to browse the net while travelling you cannot for now.
* Between June 29 and July 13 all walk-in customers at a coffee chain will be allowed 30 minutes of free internet usage with an order value over Rs 199. This is available in Mapusa, Panaji, Candolim, Bambolim, Miramar and Margao.
How to get a WiMAX connection?
- Visit a BSNL customer service centre and ask for a Customer Application Form. You need a passport-sized photo with proof of identity and address.
- A BSNL-SOMA Networks technician will visit your residence and check for feasibility which is subject to frequency of BSNL coverage, aka, the network strength in your area.
- Once BSNL completes the verification process of your identity and address, a payment of Rs 5,000 will have to be made for the CPE (Customer Premise Equipment, a simple plug-and-play indoor device about the size of a landline handset). The payment will have to be made by cash or cheque in the name of the concerned distributor, as per instructions from the BSNL customer service centre.
- Next will be a one-month security deposit to BSNL. The amount will depend on the plan you choose plus Rs 827 (inclusive of installation charges and service tax). If you choose to make an annual payment instead of monthly, you can pay the tarriff for 10 months and payment for two months will be waived off.
- SOMA officials say the entire procedure will take no more than 48 hours.
What are the plans?
- Home users have a choice between 256 Kbps and 512 Kbps. The monthly tariff for 256 Kbps is Rs 1,000, for 512 Kbps it is Rs 1,800 per month.
- Business users have four options: Rs 4,400 for 256 Kbps, Rs 8,000 for 512 Kbps, Rs 12,000 for 1024 Kbps and Rs 20,000 for 2048 Kbps.
- While home users will have to purchase the CPE, business users can avail a free CPE subject to conditions which include a three-year guaranteed subscription. The CPE is priced for all types of users at Rs 5,000.
Source: www.timesofindia.com
