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A little while back, Rajesh Jain had run a “Big Idea for India” contest. He has touched on many issues in his previous posts; there was a lack of serious debate on Broadband. This contest was open to all; I had mailed my entry to Rajesh on his email.
He had received over 150 responses for the same.

Jain announced the winners recently; in which yours truly has also figured (the names are in an random order). The contest was judged by Jain and Atanu Dey (whose blog is linked to in the blog roll in side bar). Of course, he has been a huge influence in shaping up my thought process and I owe a lot to him.

The post, in it’s entirety follows here. For the regular readers, there is nothing new because I have already touched on these issues in the previous posts extensively.

This is one answer and highly underrated option. The following scenario is envisaged:

1) Optic fibres running across to get the data without caps. We need fibre to home instead of outdated copper. Last mile access is contentious; while opening up last mile for private players is contentious, this needs to be debated. Britain has opened it up under strict regulations and British Telecom has been forced to upgrade it’s infrastructure to retain customers.

2) Heavy public investment for scalable architechture. Not 3G guzzling up spectrum but community Wifi’s (pay per use or perhap involving the municipalities making the people accountable directly for the level of involvement).

3) Create an ecosystem of open source applications to harness ideas; make it easier for people to access services. (Open Source standards promote interoperability; closed source is meant for perpetual profiteering at public’s expense).

4) Opening up the Government’s accumulated data through API’s etc; create models around it. For e.g., data from GPS installed in public transport would easily display the estimated arrival time through SMS if needed on the mobile phones. (“Hacker culture” is missing in India; most of the Bangalore flotsam is moronic army of debuggers and script kiddies).

5) Teleconferencing would make it easier for people to people contacts; Gujarat has shown the way! Why can’t India have something similar to Skype? (There is a move to have something similar in the GNU world where encryption would be based on open standards).

6) Education sector would get a boost; not only invite faculty, stream educational videos, hold tele-sessions but teach kids for a wonderful world of Internet. (Pilot experiments in Bihar/Gujarat have been well received; the idea needs scaling up).

7) Spin off benefits from e-commerce applications.

The potential is huge; if you are planning it to share with BJP, the easiest way out is to break the ISP‘s monopoly, hold TRAI responsible for execution (not DoT) and revise Broadband definition to at least 2 Mbps (UNLIMITED, WITHOUT any caps).

Thanks Rajesh!

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I have shifted to Firefox beta builds and I must admit that after a long time, there has been a credible worthwhile option in the Open Source. I have always aligned with open source; though I have been using Opera as my default browser. The annoyances come in when one can’t customize the software to one’s taste.

For example, Thunderbird allows one to set up multiple email identities. Opera mail refuses to listen to it’s customers (be it on their news servers or their forums). Although I have to admit that it terms of GUI or innovations, nothing beats it; even though their software sucks.

In any case, Chromium was too overbearing for me in the past few builds; it was refusing to open up, sucking up on the experience. And I have no qualms in admitting the fact that Firefox is indeed the next Chrome; the browser battles have been drawn up clearly and it remains to be see how it finishes off.

Opera would remain at it’s pathetic best unless they open up the API‘s and make it more extensible. At present, because of its poor market share AND lack of “open source”, desktop is sucking up. The problem is that it extends to their entire ecosystem (on mobile phones and other platforms) that is impossible for them to open up the code. Well, thats part of the reason.

I have my annoyances with BSNL broadband off and on… and I am looking at the computational databases with interest. Broadband has a lot of potential; it remains to be seen how we extend our imagination.

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Although I experimented with a different theme, but I stuck on the present option. It is much more “feature rich” in my opinion and generally works.

What I have done around this time is to integrate the tags and the posts in a more fundamental manner. It took some tweaking of Simple Tags plug in and Open Calais integration (via their API key), which is the first step towards “semantic web”. The idea is to have a better search (from the tag clouds AND the database) as well as be relevant for the searches. I was keen to get a RSS aggregation enabled on the site but it wasn’t possible to do it effectively. Further, it would have just polluted the pages and the different posts so I gave up the idea.

What I love about the tags (and being able to apply it automatically) is the ability for “deep search” and relevance. Although taxonomy is being deprecated in many blog posts, still it is far better than the keyword searches that search engines rely on. The obvious evolution is semantics and identification of contextual linkages for identification of content (instead of merely categorizing them) and this is first step towards that.

On the sidelines, I have emailed to Business Standard regarding the BSNL update on the RTI application and hoping that there would be some traction on that count. I also hope that they would keep me in the loop and do the needful of bringing about at least some accountability in the sector.

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Needless to say, it is highly inadequate. I have the right to appeal; but dragging them to Information Commission straight away is not possible. It does not discourage me, to be honest because I had expected this stone walling.

I am taking a legal opinion on this and would update this space soon. I don’t have an access to a scanner; so I would have to snap it up, convert it to a PDF and then upload it somewhere and embed it. Or perhaps directly from image uploading site.

Truly, their attitude sucks. I really don’t know what have they done to deserve my hard earned money to support them.

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I wanted to inspect the documents first; however, it would have meant extra paper work and going to their office; I decided against it. All I need is the reply from their office and I shall update it over a period of time here. In case there is any inconsistency, I have the right to appeal and approach the state information commission.

The big issue here is that it does not constitute ways and means to force them to change their policies; it cannot be done specially when they are going to argue that 256 kbps “unlimited” is dirt cheap per month. The bigger issue is whether 2 Mbps can be made the norm or not.

TRAI has refused steadfastly as far as the definition of broadband is concerned. They haven’t given me any “extra information” on that count. They have also not mentioned as to who has defined the broadband. They took the cover of contestable ITU definition that is as vague as it can be. I am sure that BSNL would duck under cover of “regulator” knows it all. Hence, we are back to square one.

Who decides then that 2 Mbps should be bare minimum? I think that RTI should provide us some answers regarding the pricing details and their sources. It’s a long drawn process and companies don’t want to act because it would spoil their status quo. TRAI’s officials are looking at post retirement lucrative options to join a fancy board of some telecom company. It is easier to feed fat a bastard than to service the mass of customers. We all know the story, isn’t it? Specially when Pradeep Baijal was hauled up by the investigative agencies. Backroom manipulations ensured that there was not much drama made out of the “news”. No one knows who Baijal is and frankly no one cares.

It’s a messy country.

Lets wait for their answers to come. The application submitted in their ‘dak section’ would take at least 1 day to wind it’s way towards the orders; the file containing the reply would take another 2-3 days to be dispatched and thereafter it is at the mercy of Department of Posts to deliver it to my premises. Do you know that a speed post (courier) takes 5 days to be delivered WITHIN the same city? Specially when I stay just 3 kms from the exchange and the head post office?

Deva re deva!

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Submit it to the PIO and wait for the answer from them. I wonder what has been the reaction from their office after getting a detailed questionnaire. Lets wait for the answers (next year).

I am keeping my fingers crossed. My contention is that you make the top incumbent come clean on the prices which would help you to negotiate the prices with say Airtel. At least I would have a broad idea as to how the revenues are split, what are the issues that need to be sorted out and confront TRAI with the same to issue policy decisions (perhaps Department of Telecom too).

I think, all it needs is a simple will to do something instead of getting mired in the red tapism. I have already written to the DoT Secretary (R Chandrashekhar) but he has not replied so far. I am not even sure whether the email has landed in his inbox.

Some time later next year, if everything goes well, I might plan to meet him in person.

The idea is to get broadband liberated; so that at least I get the best value for my money. I’d rather have a functional DSL first for starters; fiber can wait for some time.

I was also surprised to see BSNL’s equivalent IPTV packages in their customer care. I am not sure how this would work out or what is the customer review. Although it is a good option for time shift TV but with bundled speeds of 256kbps, I am not eager to join them. With customer resolution at local BSNL exchange, I am not keen to run around to get my service fixed in case of any “issues”.

Lets keep our fingers crossed.

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Hence it is to have them admit on paper that the prices have “stagnated” indeed. 256 kbps is nothing in this day and age when the speeds elsewhere have touched over Gigabits.

The “perfect pricing” can always be debated. I would root for ATLEAST 2 mbps for INR 700-900 price band. This of course has to come with any stupid “fair usage policy”. In any case, wherever there is abuse of the network, they ought to ask the customer to perhaps a higher speed band.

Network abuse is in built and the very idea that traffic is being monitored ought to be deterrent enough. In any case, even with the restricted traffic shaping, I hardly see any traction in the space; it is an awful experience to stream the videos or access data intensive web sites.

If majority of the user space in India centers on Social Networking/Matrimonial sites and email, I don’t foresee any “overloading” of the networks. If they are really interested in lowering the overall costs, then they have to explore alternatives like NIXI to peer the data amongst themselves or cache the data for faster access.

Why BSNL then? Foremost reason is that I am it’s customer. Secondly, it can be alleged that because of it’s “monopolistic stance”, the real “revolution” in speeds and prices has to come only after goading it to work. If BSNL as the “market leader” is made to act on prices being offered, others have to match up to it. Well, thats what the intention in the long run is.

One more thing. I have specifically asked for the various break up charges. I strongly feel that the charges ought to be in public domain. How much is BSNL really affected? It is buying bandwidth from upstream and distributing it (apart from owning it’s own gateways, if I am not mistaken). One ought to know how much it really costs to move gigabytes of data on it’s pipes. In the same vein, RTI filed with TRAI previously was very clear that there is nothing like “Fair Usage Policy”. Hence it would at least force BSNL to acknowledge that FUP is “illegal” and help is to fix a responsibility as to who has come up with the idea. He/She should be hauled up over the coals.

Hence this is truly a disruptive power of RTI to expose the cosy nexus between the various ISP’s because they are defrauding their customers. One particular issue that caught my eye was FTH service being advertised as “upto 1 Mbps” and being more expensive than the same service being offered by DSL. Hence, I have asked them for an explanation about the same and the differential in pricing. FTH is not being advertised heavily which has the real potential for future.

I am also keen to know about the “limitation of upload speeds” of 768 kbps (as per their web site); I feel that this is an artificial restriction and should have their response on “traffic shaping”.

It is very clear from the outset that much of the information would be withheld, not revealed etc etc. Hence the best option is to wait, file an appeal and then present the case strongly in the state information commission.

I am willing to fight it out.

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16th December 2010

To
The Central Public Information Officer, BSNL,
O/o General Manager Telecom,
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited,

Sub: Information sought under RTI Act 2005 regarding the definition of Broadband, the prices and clarification of “limits” sought.

Dear Sir,

THIS INFORMATION IS SOUGHT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND THERE IS OVER-RIDING PARAMOUNT LARGER PUBLIC INTEREST TO BE GIVEN THE INFORMATION I HAVE ASKED FOR. This information is sought under the RTI Act 2005, and as the applicant I would retain the right to inspect or ask for certified copies of the relevant documents/records/informations.

Please explain the following:

1)What is the defintion of the term “Broadband”?

2)What is the source of definition? Please provide relevant documents to support your contention.

3)Since when BSNL has been offering Broadband services? Please mention the date and commencement of services in India.

4)What are the various speeds being offered by BSNL?

5)What are the charges for various speeds being offered?

6)How have the charges been arrived at? Please provide AN EXACT BREAK UP of the costs incurred by BSNL to provide the broadband services for RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS. The break up should include the cost of the overheads, the costs involved in keeping the lines functional, the cost of the bandwidth or any other head as mentioned and filed.

7)What is the cost of Fibre To Home Service (referred to as FTTH) being offered by BSNL?

What is the break up of the cost of Fibre to Home Service? How has BSNL arrived at this cost?

9)Who sanctions the use of Optic Fibre for domestic usage? Under what conditions can a residential customer apply for the same?

10)What is the BREAK UP of the cost incurred by BSNL to provide Internet over optic fibre? How has the cost been arrived at? Please give the relevant file notings regarding the same.

11)Who in your organization decides about the pricing of Broadband? Who gives the order for new plans to be introduced? How are the various plans AND the charges are arrived at?

12)What is the email id AND contact details of the concerned person who deals with Internet and Pricing of broadband?

13)Where does BSNL purchase it’s wholesale bandwidth from? What is the break up of the price paid to the company from where BSNL purchases it’s wholesale bandwidth?

14)Who in your organisation decides about purchase of the modems. Under which rules do you certify the modems? Where are the rules listed?

15)As per media reports, a large percentage of your landline subscribers have surrendered their connections. How many landline connections were surrendered in the past one calendar year (2009-2010)? What initiatives have been taken by your company to sell Broadband on land line as a value added service?

16)Kindly provide the details of the advertising spend for promotion of Broadband in India. How much of it was allocated to promotion of broadband over landline?

17)What is the meaning of the term “UNLIMITED Broadband” listed on the web site: (http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/New_BB_postpaid.htm)?

18)If the plans are unlimited, by natural corollary, the speeds should remain the same throughout the monthly billing period. Why are the speeds to be reduced (under the plans labelled as ULD- unlimited with differential speeds) after downloading a fixed limit of data as listed under various heads on this web site link: (http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/new_BB/BB_home_only_unlim.htm)

19)Who decides the “limit” of data to be downloaded in the “unlimited plans” and speed reduction after the same? What is the file noting/information related to it? Who has signed the official sanction for the same? Why has it been done? How has this figure of “unlimited” been arrived at?

20)Under the clause mentioned on the web page (http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/New_BB_postpaid.htm) it has been clearly mentioned that “For Broadband plans where bandwidth is 1Mbps or more, the uplinking will be maximum upto 768 kbps”. Why has it been done so? What is the justification to arrive at such a clause? How has the figure of 768kbps been arrived at?

21)What is the meaning of the term,” UNLIMITED WITH FAIR USAGE” (ULF) as listed on the web page (http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/New_BB_postpaid.htm). Who decides what is FAIR USAGE? Where has the term “FAIR USAGE” come from?

22)Is the term “FAIR USAGE” mandated by the regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (referred to as TRAI)? If yes, under which provision of TRAI’s notification has this term been defined? What is the relevant file noting/ notification/ web site address under which BSNL has defined the term “FAIR USAGE”. If this term has not been defined by TRAI, who has authorized the use of the term “FAIR USAGE”? Kindly provide the details of the file noting/ decision taken to issue the term “FAIR USAGE”.

23) Under the web page (http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/bb_ftth.htm#q1) in section related to FTTH bandwidth “UPTO 1 Mbps” has been listed as Rs. 2999. Under the Broadband prices listed on web page (http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/new_BB/BB_home_only_unlim.htm), the price for 1Mbps (upto 15GB) has been listed as Rs. 1000/- (all tariffs listed are excluding the service tax).

I need to know :
a) What is the meaning of the term “upto 1Mbps” ? Can the speed vary from 128kbps to 1 Mbps? Who has defined the term “upto 1 Mbps”? Is this mandated by TRAI? If yes, where is the relevant file noting/notification/web address of the communication received from TRAI? Where has this been mentioned on their web site?

b) Why is there a price difference between the two services when the speeds i.e. 1 Mbps are same in both the plans? Kindly explain this in detail.

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Please feel free to submit it from your end.

Thanks!
BSNL RTI Application Online

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It is not hard to imagine that Baijal did everything to subvert the process of fair “process” and instead chose to suck and align himself with the corporates, public be damned. It is the lure of these post retirement positions in high places that massages their assess and prostates which makes them vulnerable to poaching. Who gives a damn to the paying public? No one. Perhaps you all idiots deserve this because you elect the same set of bastards (or perhaps don’t vote at all).

Here’s what I had written about Baijal the ex TRAI boss way back in March 2006. It is relevant even now.

Sir, I understand that you are about to retire. Well, finally, yours would be a good farewell. You might end up writing your memoirs (for which I am sure there would be enough “intellectual idiots” to wax and wane about you) or join a board of some telecom company; Reliance is a good option. It’s the calling card for most of the retired bureaucrats who network with old pals.

I have always supported the last mile access option. Why the fuck should BSNL/MTNL sit over miles and miles of old copper wire to premises? All of this is going waste!

Here’s again what I had written way back in the same post:

Sir, there is a lot you can do still. Despite the fact that BSNL Broadband connectivity being one of the most expensive means of access, you have refused to take any action against them. While in your regime, Broadband was introduced, you could have insisted to open up the last mile access.

Still, the reason to dig this Baijal up was that he has been raided in the ongoing Telecom Scam ramifications. This is what Business Standard has to report:

Baijal, who retired from Trai in 2006, is employed by another of Radia’s firms, Noesis. The former IAS officer of the 1966 batch was the disinvestment ministry’s first secretary when it was created.

Here’s a bit about Noesis (a consultancy firm floated by Radia- among the four in the scanner):

NOESIS is a professionally managed corporate & strategic business advisory firm. The key promoters come with extensive experience, understanding & knowledge of process of governance framing of public and regulatory polices in different spheres of the economy with over 300 man years of collective experience in consulting on issues at macro and micro level, with excellent networking and delivery capabilities across different geographies and levels.

One starts smelling the rat. Interestingly it does not mention anything about the people involved in their “management”.

It is no surprise that Baijal has been caught in the cross fire. Everyone knows that this is a “professional hazard” and in this stage of life, they would be able to weather the storm with no accountability. It remains to be seen as to how within power Baijal affected the public policies to benefit the chosen few, how public interest was trampled upon because this bugger chose to quote ONLY for the corporates and how you as a customer can demand accountability.

The easiest way out id to file RTI application, ask them for all the file notings under his rule and that should set the record straight. After my own prior commitments are over, I plan to do the same in the future. And write about this all here.

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There was an issue with the DSL link being unstable. Calls to their internet section proved futile, as usual. I shot an email to the CMD and the head of Telecom Circle stating the issue very clearly (after registering a complaint with the toll free number). Since the emails were not responded to immediately (as it happens), I took up the matter with the General Manager of my city, by passing the clutter that one encounters. I told him specifically that in case the things are not being done, I would be filing a RTI application to update me the status every day.

He had to shit in the pants and the things got rolling in a jiffy.

Subsequently I got an email from the CMD that the matter has been forwarded to the Circle Head; I got umpteen calls from the staff and never before heard of service levels. The fault was traced to a port fault in the exchange; I am getting excellent DSL stability and had to change my DNS servers to Open DNS for better browsing on my Ubuntu Box. Although I have a 256 kbps plan, but things are reasonably good.

RTI or even the threat of it works.

BSNL Broadband can be made to work. Seriously. If someone is willing to work and go upto higher reaches. Unfortunately, I get to see a lot of pussies (subscribers) whining on the forums because these assholes don’t want to work.

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I have fired an email to their top heads and of course, I need to make them realize that they are PUBLIC SERVANTS first and not our lords. To this effect, I am planning to file another RTI as soon as possible given the constraints on my time and energy.

The latency sucks to the core. Maybe I have been used to the 1Mbps madness. Where it took 2 hours to download a 700 MB file. Where everything worked in a jiffy. Where there was a slightly better customer care. Where things seemed to happen. Somewhat. But then we are stuck with a frigging glacier! BSNL crawls where it has to drag it’s feet. Shit.

How would it feel to subject these arseholes to a nice Chinese Water torture and spike their balls with massive gushes of high voltage and rip them apart? Perhaps they are used to their slumber.

We need to wake them up!

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The objective is the ask them the following:

1) The cost of providing access to Broadband to a customer’s premises. The idea is to know as to why we are stuck with 256 kbps speeds and what needs to be done about it. So the question that is going to be framed is :

What is the cost of Home Unlimited 256 kbps plan? How has the price been arrived at using what methodology of calculation? Kindly provide the break up of the costs.

2) I have been facing frequent disconnections on my DSL link and it is frustrating to have sustained download speeds. I wish to know the telephone line parameters of the provided connection.

3) I am also not happy with the type of modem provided. I want to know from them as to why I can’t have the choice of my own modem since they seem to actively discourage from installing another modem. This smacks of anti competitive tactics and restricts the choice to the customer.

4) They provide no end to end solution to those on Unix platform. Why has Microsoft Windows been chosen as the “default” operating system? As a Public Service Provider, they are not supposed to invest in a platform that is closed source but rather open source systems.

It is definitely going to be a long drawn affair but then it’s worth it.

The best part is that it can be interacted through letters and I am going to file it today itself. I am very keen to know about the break up of the costs incurred because TRAI has not been able to answer it. Those shit heads call themselves as “regulators” without realizing that their actions are actually thwarting the spread of broadband.

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I have been always opposed to the wireless broadband initiatives because they fail on many counts. For plain vanilla surfing, it sounds like a good idea. But when it comes to the crunch, these fancy ideas fail in execution. Comments are on.

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Nothing could be worse than this. Unless we are talking of Home 125 Plan!

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Very appropriate for them.

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If I had my way, I’d truly stuff this up the a** of the person who legitimised this plan. Even though, it doesnt make any difference to me as a person; nevertheless if media claims that this is the cheapest plan in the world, then you would know for sure that they are whoring around with the person who offers them the most advertising money.

Cheapstake bastardisation of this nation. It wouldn’t be surprising if UPA (and their pet poodle Rahul Gaand “i”) jumps in the fray and claims as the next best thing to Christ and pasta.

Mama Sonia would approve.

And so would Manmoron.

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It all boils down to the content. The future lord over the masses is the one who could make sure that they control the keys to entertainment streaming in your drawing rooms. Presently, the choice remains limited to Direct to Home television (DTH), Cable TV and now IPTV. Cable TV is ham handed in it’s approach. With massive under declaration of viewers, the TV channels are hard hit for the “genuine” revenues. DTH is too restrictive in it’s clauses and hasn’t really set in the cash registers ringing. The majors are slowly realising the fact that it would need major investments and years before they can break even. However, I see no such sign of the same.

The present “gold rush” to control the media by whatever means is the key to the future power leverages. Media has the potential to shape up the public opinion and slowly the proliferation of the news channels/ magazines et al is a clear pointer to the fact. However, the lords of the whole game are the content delivery systems who are in a position to dictate the terms to the media moghuls. It would take huge investments to upgrade the cable wires; DTH by itself isn’t really exciting with content restrictions. IPTV may yet be the dark horse that has the potential to change the rules of the game.

In all this brouhaha, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has not been able to exert itself, as usual. It has been issuing statements off and on without realising as to what has hit it between the legs . It is caught unawares like a deer-in-the-headlights.

The ultimate killer would be a TiVo like thingy which comes with a personal Digital Video Recorder. In my opinion, it would be a boon to the consumers who are pestered by the advertisements even in the pay channels (which is totally unfair). The whole media is not yet geared towards treating customer like a king (which is anti-thesis to the so called management principles). We are slowly moving towards the consolidation of the services because players with deep pockets are the only ones that can survive the bloodbath.

While BSNL may have the theoretical first mover advantage, Airtel and Reliance have the potential to upset it’s apple cart.They would be sitting back to see what all potential pitfalls are there and would perhaps piggy back BSNL’s efforts to “educate” consumers about IPTV. If Airtel can crow about the “service gurantees”, I am sure that they can notch up some customers of their own. Yet, the age of the entertainment junkies seems to be clearly on it’s way out- IPTV has to look simple and less confusing about setting up the whole assembly. With it’s army of poorly trained JTO’s and it’s ill informed “call centre”, it is potential recipe for disaster. Reliance too has been making the right noises earlier on but with the present moribund marketing efforts, it is being left out of contention.

What possibly it can portend for the future? IPTV needs a critical mass before it can actually suceed. This means substantial investments and the need to tie up with the content service providers. This bodes well for the fat cats and media moghuls who can monetise their content to the highest bidder and sell most of it as “value added service”.

In my opinion, the real choice for the customer is to set up a community network so that content can be cached and streamed from a local server instead of attending to every request individually. This is a far fetched dream though. Yet, if this idea succeeds, we might just see the entry of nifty gadgets like Apple’s iTv which would double up as a personal TV recorder, a mini computer and it’s ability to connect to the net and download your choice of programmes (which incidentally would serve the multitude of masses anyway). Think about the possibilities. BSNL might just introduce a premium “talk channel” where it’s IPTV users might just interact with “aunties” of all hues over the phone to keep themselves hooked over the “premium sex chat lines”. It could make a killing out of it!

This idea incidentally is far fetched and I am sure that some prude would file a case against them for obscenity. Even though, ours is a nation of f***ers with the swelling billion plus people here.

IPTV does open up a large number of possibilties indeed. It remains to be seen as to how it would play out in the real world.

(Crossposted on Desicritics)

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The upgraded 2 Mbps speeds is a wow factor in India which till recently was unheard of concept. Perhaps for the first time ever, we can watch streaming videos without bothering about the buffer times. BSNL is keen and intent on declaring this year as the year of broadband; something that reflects from the CMD’s message online.

I quote verbatim: (emphasis mine)

Year 2007 is going to witness a Broadband revolution as we have declared 2007 as “YEAR OF BROADBAND”. We intend to invest Rs.2000 Crore to strengthen our Broadband Infrastructure. Today our Broadband service is available in about 600 cities / towns. We plan to extend Broadband coverage to more than 1000 Cities / Towns and 20000 Villages over the next two years. During the year 2007, Broadband coverage will be provided to all Secondary / Higher Secondary Schools and all Public Health Centers. Gram Panchayats will be brought under Broadband map progressively by 2008.

Our existing Broadband capacity of 1 Million ports is planned to be augmented by 5 million ports, out of which 1.8 million ports will be deployed in rural areas. We are in the process of launching Broadband access through Wi-Max technology in about 1000 Block Headquarters. Wi-Max is capable of offering Wireless Broadband Service in a radius of 20-25 Kilometers. You can look forward to launch of Triple Play Services and On-Line Gaming Services over Broadband during this year.

We have also decided to provide latest features on our fixed line phones and would gradually replace the existing telephone instruments of the customers with instruments having facilities like CLIP etc. (This is true indeed and the company has provided a new handset at my premises. It was definitely a pleasant surprise).

I thank all BSNL Customers for the faith reposed in our services. (This is contestable claim. Mr. CMD doesn’t realise that all these years we have had NO option). We re-affirm our commitment to empower our customers with world class state-of-the-art services (Really? If that is true, Mr CMD, remember the frustrated mails sent across to your office complaining about the local line man not being able to set right the fault in the cabling landing in my flat, which played havoc with my broadband access) at affordable rates and look forward to their continued patronage. (Thanks to the lethargy of Airtel/ Reliance/ HFCL Connect and other players looking at pan India presence, we would have to tolerate BSNL for the next coming few years).

Still, this demonstrates BSNL’s intent to rectify the issues with looking at long term money spinners in terms of value added services. We would hardly get to see the uniform roll out of the promised services; it would be a staggered soft launch. This is in trend with the other roll out of BSNL’s services. Finally, this reminds me of the pain and agony we all had to face while upgrading to the “unlimited” plans. 2 Mbps unlimited seems to be a far cry. One thing is for sure. If BSNL has an affordable package for triple play, then I am willing to migrate to the thingy.

Airtel, watch out. BSNL would sting you hard on your privates and Mr Mittal and his fancy promos may all go out for a toss. We’d wait and watch.

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