WiMAX service introduced in Tirunelveli

The Tirunelveli Telecom District has found a place in the Tamil Nadu Telecom Circle's WiMAX (World wide Interoperability Microwave Access) map when it became the 15th telecom district to get the facility. K. Balasubramanian, General Manager, Tirunelveli Telecom District, launched it on Monday evening. Except Kumbakonam and Puducherry Telecom Districts, all other 15 Telecom Districts in Tamil Nadu Circle have WiMAX facility now. In Tirunelveli district, WiMAX equipment has been installed at 11 locations viz. Palayamkottai, Pettai, Vadakkankulam, Vasudevanallur, Kalakkad, Ambasamudram, Alangulam, Nanguneri, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi and Radhapuram. A maximum of 2 Mbps speed is achieved in this latest technology.

The maximum coverage will be up to a radial distance of 15 km. Depending upon the distance from the WiMAX equipment, the subscriber's equipment will be chosen and service will be provided by the BSNL's field units. Within a distance of 500 metres, USB Donghlers that resembles a data card can be purchased from the BSNL's Customer Service Centre and used. For the coverage beyond 500 metres and up to 3 km, an indoor modem will be supplied by the BSNL. Beyond this distance, outdoor modem will be mounted externally to establish effective connectivity. “Hence, based on their needs, the customers can purchase a suitable modem from the BSNL or it can be taken on a rental basis by depositing 50 per cent of the cost of the modem chosen by the customer,” Mr. Balasubramanian told reporters here on Monday. While cost of the data card is Rs. 2,800 plus tax, the internal modem costs Rs. 4,200 plus tax. The cost of the external modem is Rs. 5,000 plus tax. The tariff ranges from Rs. 220 to Rs. 7,000 a month. The tariff between Rs. 220 and Rs. 750 is for limited plans ie. free download is limited and excess usage will be charged whereas plans from Rs. 750 to Rs. 7,000 are with unlimited usage. The WiMAX service will be available to the subscribers immediately on submitting application forms in the Customer Service Centres in Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai from December 20 onwards. In all other places of the district, it will be available from December 21. Since free roaming within Tamil Nadu is allowed now, the subscriber who leaves his native place on a tour, can take the modem along with him so that the service can be availed in those locations where WiMAX facility is available. “We're working towards providing free all-India roaming,” Mr. Balasubramanian informed. Now, broadband service is provided only within 5 km from the exchange and 3G facility is available only within the corporation limit. So technically non-feasible areas where data facility is required can have WiMAX facility.