BSNL to set up 1,000 hotspots across Kerala as spectrum for 4G was too expensive

Public-sector BSNL is all set to set launch 1000 high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots across the state to address the challenges posed by its absence in the 4G data services. Kerala Circle CGM of BSNL, R Mani told reporters here that the proposed hotspots would provide 4.5G speed and it would be commissioned within a months’ time. Huge cost to buy the 4G spectrum was the hindrance for the state-run service provider to plunge into 4G service but it is expected to happen by this March, he noted.

“In between, we are launching about 1000 Wi-Fi hotspots in the state which will give 4.5G speed. This will give better speed than 4G. This is going to happen within a month,” he said. Mani was speaking on the sidelines of the Kerala Circle launch of ‘SBI Mohicash,’ a prepaid virtual mobile wallet on mobile phones powered by BSNL. “Equipment have been dispatched. We have already identified the sites. Wherever our 3G tower experiences a lot of traffic, we are putting up the wifi hot spot,” he said.

With the commissioning of the hotspots, when a customer is using his mobile phone, his network service would be directly taken over to the wifi hotspot. “Then, he will not be on 3G… but will be on 4.5G,” he added. The much-awaited project is being implemented in collaboration with the equipment from L&T. The official said though the 4G launch of BSNL is delayed, it would surely happen soon. “The tender has already been floated for 4G.

It is under evaluation in Delhi. To ask for so much money from the government to buy spectrum is the big issue with the BSNL. And this is what delayed our 4G launch. But it is sure to come,” he added.

The rollout of 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Kerala is a part of an effort to provide Wi-Fi hotspots all across the country. In 2015 it was announced that BSNL would be investing 7,000 Crores to set up Wi-Fi hotspots across the country over the course of two to three years. BSNL has partnered with QuadGen Wireless to set up Wi-Fi hotspots in south and west zones under a revenue sharing model.

BSNL plans to set up 40,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the country by the year 2018. BSNL already offers Wi-Fi services in tourists places such as the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho and Varanasi. The first 30 minutes of Wi-Fi connectivity is free, after which users will have to pay between Rs 20 to Rs 70 for access between half an hour to a day. The free thirty minute access is provided three times a month per user.

Facebook has sponsored 100 hotspots across the country in partnership with BSNL. The social media company is paying BSNL Rs 5 lakh per hotspot per annum. There is no revenue sharing agreement with Facebook, and Facebook is sponsoring the hotspots. The hotspots are set up with the BSNL selected partner Quad Zen. The current agreement has a duration of three years, and it can be extended by a further two years.

Recently, BSNL has partnered with Tata Communications to provide BSNL customers access to 44 million Wi-Fi hotspots globally . The hotspots allow seamless and automatic connectivity for BSNL customers with international roaming, and are an effort to save data costs on behalf of the customers. BSNL is the first among Indian telecom operators to provide Wi-Fi hotspots for international roaming. Closer back home, BSNL is in the process of testing high speed hotspots in over 1 lakh villages .

With inputs from PTI