BSNL to ramp up broadband ports by March

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Gujarat is adding 32,000 broadband ports before March, 2006 to cater the broadband demand in the state.

Currently, BSNL has 44,000 ports with 29,000 broadband connections in Gujarat.

Until last week, BSNL was unable to fulfill demand of broadband connections. "Around 6,000 broadband connections are in the waiting list which will further reduce by next week," said B K Karecha, GM of development Gujarat circle. Except Ahmedabad and Rajkot, the ports are full in 19 cities across the state.

"In Surat, 4,500 ports are already occupied, while 4,000 ports are full in Vadodara," said Karecha.

"Three new cities will also be added in the expansion process. And by March, cities like Porbandar, Nadiad and Patan will have Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology based broadband service from BSNL," said Karecha.

BSNL's broadband connections in Gujarat will rise from 29,000 to 70,000 in three months, claimed Karecha.

"All the 32,000 ports will exhaust in couple of weeks once they are equiped. However, BSNL will install some more ports after March as the broadband demand is very high in rural areas of Gujarat," he said.

"The company will invest about rupees one crore to expand the number of ports," said Karecha.

After the expansion, BSNL would be able to serve in all the 24 district headquarters of Gujarat circle.

"The broadband demand shot up after the announcement of free broadband connection for two months was made," said Karecha. He further said that BSNL has a ready setup of copper wire across the state which will cater the broadband need.