The BSNL will use WiMax, the latest broadband wireless access technology, deployed in Goa soon.

Goa thus would become the first state in the country to get WiMax, which will be available in a few months when base stations are set up by Soma Networks, a US-based company, which has developed the technology.

With WiMax in place, people with laptops on move would be able to access wireless broadband Internet connection in Panaji, Margao, Mapusa, Vasco, Ponda and coastal areas of tourist importance.

The general manager of BSNL in Goa, Mr G R Ravi told The Navhind Times today that 25 base stations have been planned in the state in the initial stage to provide WiMax facilities. He went on to add that the network would be subsequently expanded to other parts of the state.

Mr Ravi further said that the BSNL has teamed up with Soma Networks to deploy the industry’s largest mobile WiMax network across three of India’s fastest growing telecom circles of Gujarat, Goa-Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The new product is definitely expected to be operation within the current financial year, he added.

The BSNL chief in Goa also said that WiMax was a new product and that standards for it were being drawn and that they would be upgraded as per the demand. He said that so far no demands have been assessed in the state.

The first Core centre of WiMax technology would be set up in Goa, followed by one in Kalyan, Pune, Nagpur and other parts of the circle. The new Soma based infrastructure would provide broadband data and voice services as part of making broadband services ubiquitous and turn India into a global IT force.

The new service would be in addition to broadband and other Internet services being provided by BSNL, said Mr Ravi. He went on to add that the broadband services in the state were being augmented and more rural areas would be covered under the services. The BSNL now is offering Internet connectivity at a speed ranging from 2mbps to 8 mbps to various segments of customers.

The BSNL has 14,000 broadband customers at the moment and that another 10,000 connections would be rolled out once the 84 remaining service areas were brought under broadband connectivity, said the GM. At the moment 51 stations are under broadband connectivity in the state.