Leading WiMAX solutions provider, SOMA Networks plans to invest around USD 200 million (Rs 1000 crore approx.) for rolling out mobile WiMAX system in the country.
While currently the company has partnered with state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for commercial launch of 'BSNL Wireless Broadband' using SOMA Network's FlexMAX Mobile WiMAX System in the circles of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa, it is planning to bid in near future for other circles as well.
"We will be investing around USD 200 million in the country for WiMAX services for which we have tied up with BSNL for few circles and will be bidding for more number of circles later on. To begin with, BSNL will be rolling out these services using our technology and support in the state of Gujarat for the first time in the country, followed by the states of Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra," said Yatish Pathak, chief executive officer, SOMA Networks.
According to Satya Pal, chief general manager (Gujarat) for BSNL, the telecom operator will be targeting around three million subscribers of its wireless broadband services in these states, including one million in Gujarat over a period of next five years. "In the first year as well, we are targeting a subscriber base of 50,000 in Gujarat, 60,000 in Maharashtra and 40,000 in Andhra Pradesh," said Pal.
To be offered to both home users as well as business users, the wireless broadband services will be managed by SOMA through BSNL's network. The company is expecting to cater to around 80 per cent home users and 20 per cent business users.
For this, BSNL will be setting up around 3,200 base stations over a period of five years including 1,000 in Gujarat. "In the first year itself, we are hoping to set up around 1,100 base stations including 300 in Gujarat," Pal added. Each of these base stations is expected to carry a network range of about 17 km.
In Gujarat, BSNL is believed to be targeting an installation of 9,000 km of optical fibre network to increase its broadband footprint.