Hyderabad: When high speed 4G data transfer as also good mobile connectivity is the norm, the government’s telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is lagging behind in these respects. BSNL is also plauged by call drops.
BSNL has about 8,500 towers in TS and Andhra Pradesh circles, of which 1,500 are in the GHMC limits including nearly 900 towers installed for 3G services.
As per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s real-time analytics’ portal, even during off-peak hours, the BSNL network failed to provide better data transfer and voice call connectivity. It provided up to 2.8 MBPS during off-peak hours which fell to 0.2 MBPS to 1.2 MBPS during peak hours.
During off-peak hours, BSNL speed at various areas in GHMC was registered from 1.2 MBPS to 2.8 MBPS. The services provided by private operators were much faster.
BSNL TS circle chief general manager L. Anantharamam said the company was increasing the number of cell towers to strengthen data connectivity. “We have installed WiFi hotspots across the city. Telecom users from any network can utilise these services. We are providing data services through hotspots up to 15 MBPS. The tender process for 4G services is under way. Very soon, we’ll also provide high speed Internet services through mobile phone,” he said.
A source said Hyderabad had 1,500 BSNL towers, of which about 5 per cent were not functioning. “In the last three years, very few cell towers were installed as officials from networking are not concentrating on the matter,” the official said.
Mr Syed Ahmed from Tolichowki, who had been using a BSNL number for 15 years, said, “Due to poor coverage, I shifted to another network. The response from the BSNL customer care is very poor,” he said.
