BSNL to provide 3.6 lakh mobile connections in Ernakualm SSA

Kochi: BSNL is planning to provide 3.6 lakh mobile connections in Ernakulam SSA this fiscal, and commission 372 3G towers to strengthen network coverage in the region, a top company official said.

At present, the company has 14.57 lakh mobile connections in Ernakulam SSA, which covers Ernakulam, Idukki and the Lakshadweep Islands, Principal General Manager G Muraleedharan told reporters here. It added 2.2 lakh new connections in the last financial year. BSNL presently has 70 lakh mobile connections in the state. Last year, 1.76 lakh mobile customers from private operators shifted to BSNL service in the Ernakulam region.

It also intends to provide 32,000 landlines, 53,000 broadband connections, 7,500 Wi-Max connections, 4,000 FTTH and commission 79 2G towers during this fiscal, he said. To increase coverage of 2G/3 G services, BSNL had commissioned 52 2G towers and 45 3G towers in the network.

Aimng to increase broadband usage in rural areas, central government aided Village Broadband Kiosks have been opened in Kalady, Kolenchery, Mulanthuruthy, Njarakkal, Agatti, Kiltan and Kadamath among others. Internet services are offered for Rs 5 to every hour usage as per this project, he said. BSNL planned to give one week training to 1,200 engineering students this fiscal against 1,000 last year.