BSNL's mobile base crosses 10 million mark

Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) has crossed the 10 million mark in its mobile subscriber base.

Out of these connections, 1.6 million are in the eastern zone, 2.10 million in western zone, 2.60 million in the north and 3.70 million in the south. It is planning to add 4 million to its mobile subscriber base in each quarter progressively during the current financial year, a statement by the PSU said.

BSNL launched its mobile phone services on 19th October, 2002 and has its footprint across the country covering all the district headquarters, most of the important national highways, state highways, important tourist and pilgrimage centres. There has been an unprecedented demand for Cellone services of BSNL with its ubiquitous presence across the country, resulting in the capacities rolled out getting exhausted within the first year of its operation.

BSNL will also be introducing new technologies on the wireless front to provide broadband services. To a limited extent, the data services on the mobile will the available on GPRS, which will get augmented further by edge technology in district headquarters as a part of 15 million lines rollout.

BSNL has also sought additional spectrum for introducing 3g services and future plans are proposed to be made on the 3g front which will enable convergence of services.