(31 March 2008 4:00 pm)

BANGALORE: More than 25,000 Indian villages are set to join the digital age and enjoy the social and economic benefits of connectivity as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is to expand rural broadband access in partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN).

As part of the contract, NSN is deploying its Gigabit Ethernet-capable IP DSLAMs SURPASS hiX5625 (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers) and chassis-based access switch (SURPASS hiD6615). NSN will also supply customer premises equipment that will enable BSNL to provide speeds of up to 8 Mbps using ADSL2+ for its subscribers over its existing copper infrastructure.The solution will be ready for commercial operation by July 2008.

BSNL is to deploy NSN multi-play solutions, which will allow it to deliver cost-effective, high-speed internet access and virtual private networks (VPN), among others, to its customers. The network will also enable BSNL to provide connectivity to CSCs (community service centres) and other e-governance locations.

The company is in parallel deploying solution for the urban broadband access for BSNL across 20 circles.

The release says that India today has approximately 3.4 million broadband connections, of which 1.7 million connections are provided by BSNL alone. With the expansion of broadband density in urban and rural areas using ADSL2+ technology, BSNL plans to cover more than 25,000 villages broadband enabled shortly.

"BSNL is a pioneer in providing affordable high-quality communications services to its customers and this mega broadband expansion initiative is another step in that direction. Partnering with Nokia Siemens Networks would give BSNL an edge over other broadband services providers as it would be the first to cover rural areas on such a wide scale," said BSNL chairman and MD Kuldeep Goyal.

"With high-speed internet service of BSNL, the rural broadband project is suitably poised to bridge digital divide and connect more than 25,000 villages in India," he added.

"With a population of 700 million, rural India, without a doubt, holds the key to the future growth of the telecommunication industry and the long term economic and social development of the country," said NSN head of sub region India Michael Kuehner.

"This fourth broadband access tender placed by BSNL shows our long-standing partnership in offering end-to-end solutions customised to varying requirements," he added.