BSNL raises minimum broadband speed to 1Mbps post data usage

MANGALURU: Love browsing the World Wide Web at blazing speeds, but fret when the speed drops once you have crossed the data limit? Fret not! With TRAI recommending 2mbps as minimum broadband speed and Centre too looking to mandate a four-fold increase in minimum broadband speed - from 512 kbps to 2 mbps, state owned Telecom Company BSNL has already made the move by pegging the minimum broadband speed post data usage limit to 1mbps.

Incidentally, Karnataka circle of BSNL offers 15 landline broadband plans to suit the diverse usage needs of its customers – both in terms of data downloads and speed – with monthly charges ranging from minimum of Rs 699 to maximum of Rs 3,445. Hitherto, the speed offered dropped to 512 kbps once the consumer had exceeded the prescribed limit or was required to top up to get the same speed as per their plan for rest of the duration during a particular billing cycle.


But signaling a change and in sync with the NDA government’s vision of Digital India, BSNL has since pegged the minimum speed post data usage at 1mbps, which users know is any day better than the painfully download speed of 512 kbps. Incidentally, the last time minimum internet speed was revised was in August 2014 when it was doubled from 256 kbps to 512 kbps. “This move will certainly ensure better customer retention,” avers G R Ravi, GM, DK telecom district.

The telecom district is also shifting its focus from providing landline broadband using copper wire infrastructure to Fiber to the Home mode. FTTH incidentally is delivery of communications signal over optical fiber from operator's switching equipment all the way to a home or business, thereby replacing existing copper infrastructure such as telephone wires and coaxial cable. “This will ensure better speeds and reliable broadband connection to consumers,” Ravi pointed.


There is no limit to (broad band) speed using FTTH, Ravi said adding the telecom district which has already provided 3,000 such connections in the two revenue districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada that come under its jurisdiction, has plans to provide additional 6,000 FTTH connections. “The speed drops with distance from the telephone exchange when copper infrastructure is used,” he said adding the district is making a conscious move towards FTTH connections.