CHENNAI: After several delays, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has finally announced that it will launch 4G/5G services in Chennai next year.
After chairing a meeting in Chennai, Sandeep Govil, director (consumer mobility), BSNL, told reporters that they will receive equipment from September or October to commission one lakh 4G base transceiver stations (BTS) across the country.
This includes upgradation of 8,000 existing BTS in Tamil Nadu and creating 1,500 new BTSs. Since the equipment can be upgraded to 5G, BSNL is optimistic that 5G services can also be rolled out soon.
Asked if tariffs will be revised after the rollout, Govil said, “Our tariffs will be competitive. There are no plans as of now to increase it”. The central public sector undertaking currently has 70 lakh customers in TN.
To bring in more customers, particularly from the rural parts of the state, BSNL has planned to expand services to 430 remote uncovered villages, particularly in Sathyamangalam, Kolli Hills, Yercaud and Jawadhu hills. A total of 282 sites have been identified for erecting new towers in these regions.
This project, which is scheduled to be completed by December, is estimated to cost 433 crore, said an official release.
