BSNL’s 4G service now available in Tirunelveli, suburbs; Thoothukudi to get it before January-end

Interested customers should exchange the existing SIM card for 4G free of cost from service centres.
| Photo Credit: A. SHAIKMOHIDEEN

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has launched 4G mobile service here as the official communicator radiated 80 sites in Tirunelveli and the suburban areas on Tuesday.

The customers who want to avail the BSNL’s 4G service should exchange the existing SIM for the 4G SIM card free of cost from the service centres.

“We have increased the backhaul speed with MAAN (MPLS-IP-based Access and Aggregation Network) transmission equipment. Our technicians are now doing the post-migration stability work to ensure the best possible 4G service to our subscribers,” General Manager, Tirunelveli Region, Krishnakumar told The Hindu.

Besides stabilising the post-migration work, the BSNL technicians and the engineers are working on the teething issues, if any, in the areas where the signal strength is not up to the desirable mark.

The BSNL, based on the subscribers’ strength, has identified 65 new sites also in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Tenkasi for providing 4G service in near future to bring more areas under its 4G coverage and increase subscribers’ base.

“The 4G equipment installation in Thoothukudi town has moved to top gear. We’re planning to dedicate the service to our subscribers before January-end. It will be our ‘Republic Day’ gift to our subscribers,” said Mr. Krishnakumar, who inaugurated the 4G service at Chokkankudiyiruppu in Thoothukudi district on May 29 last year.

The BSNL has installed indigenously developed 4G and transmission equipment for providing the service to its subscribers.

“What we have installed is a 5G-ready network with home-grown modern equipment. So, once we get permission for providing 5G service, we need not go in for change or upgrade of any 5G hardware as we’ve already installed it. After installing the software for 5G, we can go in for testing and launch the service within no time. Once we get the permission, we’re raring to launch the 5G service also,” Mr. Krishnakumar said.

Since the BSNL’s tariff poses tougher competition to the private mobile phone service providers, the launch of 4G service is likely to attract more number of subscribers from private players towards the official communicator under the mobile number portability (MNP) scheme.

“Even though we are late to offer the 4G service, the subscribers have started returning to BSNL under MNP scheme after comparing our tariff with our competitors. We expect a significant influx of new subscribers from our competitors’ fold as we’ve launched the service in Tirunelveli. We are upbeat that the expansion of our service in Thoothukudi and Tenkasi will bring in more subscribers to us,” said a senior official attached to the commercial section of BSNL here.