GOA: Bharat Sanchar Nigam, Ltd (BSNL), along with US-based Soma Networks, announced full-scale commercial launch of its wireless broadband (WiMAX) (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) service in Goa.

BSNL deployed Soma Networks' award winning FlexMAX System that delivers high-speed DSL quality broadband wirelessly to homes and offices. BSNL's WiMAX service, with speeds upto 2 Mbps, that targets 10,000 customers in Goa in the first year will be soon extended to Maharashtra.

BSNL aims to reach 100 million people in Maharashtra and Goa over the period of next three years.

Chandra Prakash, CGM of Maharashtra, said: "Our partnerships with Soma Networks will help us deliver affordable and high quality services to enterprise and urban customers and also provide access to low cost education and healthcare services.” 

Sudhir Kadam, Senior Vice President, Soma Networks, Inc., said: “Broadband is a national priority for India as it has the potential to drive economic growth and enable large scale socio economic transformation. Wireless for the last mile is the key to broadband growth in India, and SOMA’s solution delivers high-speed DSL quality over wireless. Our operating partnership with BSNL has helped integrate this technology with BSNL’s world-class fibre backbone network to rollout robust wireless broadband service in Goa.”

SESA Goa, India's largest exporter of iron ore in the private sector, has signed up as the first enterprise customer in Goa for BSNL-Soma’s broadband service. Moreover they have also partnered with Café Coffee Day (CCD) to setup wireless zones to provide live multi-media service experience to customers visiting CCD stores in Mapusa, Candolim, Bambolim, Miramar, Babanayak, Panjim and Mudgaon.

The services can be availed with order value of more than Rs. 199 will be allowed 30 minutes free Internet usage between June 29 – July 13 using the latest wireless broadband technology. BSNL has plans to launch e-commerce applications like online shopping, banking and bill-payment, enable social networking through photo/video sharing, voice/video chats, and provide access to infotainment content such as news, music, movies and e-learning amongst others.  

BSNL has partnered with Soma Networks to deploy WiMAX service in Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.