(5 May 2007 5:10 pm)

MUMBAI: Even as the government is working to increase its WiMax services and has started pilot projects, the public-sector RailTel is planning to provide broadband services at select railway stations with this technology under public-private partnership.

Railway ministry sources told indiantelevision.com it will now be possible to provide broadband services and Voice Over Internet Protocol services at the railway stations as well as towns and villages in the vicinity of railway stations. Any passenger with suitable laptop/other device will be able to access internet facility.

The investment on infrastructure to provide these services would be made by the private sector.

Meanwhile, Communications and Information Technology Ministry sources said Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was planning to invest on WiMax infrustructure in 10 cities- Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad for urban applications, and Hissar, Pinjore, Rohtak and Panipat for rural applications.

The BSNL has finalised a tender for WiMax systems and the finalised rate for procurement is Rs 19.2 million. The equipment has been received and one system has already been installed at each of the ten selected cities.