India’s largest telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) plans to provide a speed of up to 2 mbps for its broadband subscribers, says a report in Myiris.com. This was stated by Communication and IT Minister, Dayanidhi Maran. And all those who are using 256 kbps connection currently can migrate to the improved speed at no extra cost. Nor will they have to change their consumer premise equipment.
Maran also announced that the government is declaring the year 2007 as the “Year of Broadband” in India. He also said that it’s now upto the private operators to match the BSNL challenge. Currently no telco is offering more than 1 mbps for home users.
On a personal note, I am using a Reliance Broadnet connection for my internet, and their monthly bill seems to be exorbitantly high. For 2GB download (their speed is 1 mbps), I paid Rs 3,000 last month. That’s hell a lot of money, and I am looking at a change. Airtel has not reached my apartment. How about MTNL or Tata Broadband? I tried calling Sify Broadband, but they don’t even pick up the phone, let alone give you a connection (so I am wary of them). Any suggestions and any good plans?