It is proposed to install about 2,200 4G sites during the next one year, covering all district headquarters, major cities and towns in the State, BSNL Chief General Manager (Kerala Circle) R Mani told reporters here.
The service would be introduced in a phased manner and the project would be completed by March next year.
The complicated tender procedures had caused a delay in the 4G rollout in the circle, he said.
Purchase orders in this regard had been placed, the official said adding that Nokia would be supplying equipment.
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BSNL also had plans to upgrade the 3G service to 4G and discussions were on in this regard.
"Not only that, we are going to replace our old technology. The aim is increase 3G coverage in the circle to 90 per cent by the year-end," he said.
As many as 1,100 new 3G and 300 new 2G sites were planned in the circle.
The official said the State government had come out with a tender of 2000 wi-fi hotspots and the BSNL is also participating in it.
With an aim to improve the network connectivity in Lakshadweep island, part of the Kerala circle, the State-run operator is planning to add 10 new 2G sites and 12 3G sites within three months supported by 300 Mbps backhaul via satellite, Mani said.
With the new initiatives, all the important islands in Lakshadweep having a population of more than 5,000 would get 3G, he added.
The net profit for the financial year for the circle stood at Rs. 700 crore, which was the highest among all BSNL circles, he added.
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