BSNL has rolled out Wi-Max-based internet services in 10 cities on a trial basis

BSNL has rolled out Wi-Max (worldwide interoperability of microwave access)-based internet services in 10 cities on a trial basis. The cities are Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Hissar, Pinjore, Rohtam and Panipat.

The PSU is slated to extend this project to other cities after evaluating the results of the pilot project. The equipment for the trial is being supplied by Motorola. Wi-Max is a standards-based wireless technology that provides high throughput broadband connections over long distances, with typical cell sizes of 2 km to 10 km. The four Wi-Max stations allotted to Haryana will be used exclusively for rural areas, according to BSNL. The PSU is also experimenting with providing broadband services to residential customers through Wi-Max, rather than conventional copper. For this, ethernet cabling is being done in some apartment buildings.