The Defence Ministry has given the state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) the nod to set up some 40 Base Trans-receiver Stations (BTS) in cantonments after complaints of poor connectivity — even zero signal in some pockets — in areas near defence establishments.
BSNL principal general manager (PGM) V K Mahendra said approval had been received for setting up BTS towers in Pune, Dehu Road and Khadki cantonments where security restrictions and non-availability of space had made it tough to offer better services. "The towers are being set up on defence land," he said.
According to officials, the BTS towers set up by BSNL will also be used by other service providers, particularly in areas where there was no connectivity. "The arrangements need to be worked out through an agreement with the Defence Ministry as to how we can allow private service providers to use our BTS stations. We can make available one BTS to four other service providers," said P K Saha, BSNL deputy general manager (broadband).
The move to install BTS towers follows connectivity complaints from citizens in areas close to defence establishments where there were no BTS towers.
Khadki Cantonment Board vice-president Manish Anand said he had earlier complained to the board and raised the issue of connectivity in some areas at the board meeting. "There are some areas like Duncan Road and a junction between Mullah Road and Khadki bazaar where there is no connectivity. Even within the KCB office, connectivity is poor. Earlier, Aircel set up boosters at KCB office, which improved connectivity."
Saha said through each BTS station, on an average, mobile connections will be provided to at least 2,500 people and the maximum distance between the two areas covering the transreceiver will be 1 km. "The connections provided on each BTS will be determined by call traffic in a particular area. It will depend on number of incoming and outgoing calls that each BTS will service. On an average, we can provide connectivity between two towers to over 4,000 people. The maximum distance in city areas between two towers can go upto 1 km while some need to be set up even at a closer distance of 500 metres. BTS stations being set up are of standard height," said Saha.
BSNL principal general manager (PGM) V K Mahendra said approval had been received for setting up BTS towers in Pune, Dehu Road and Khadki cantonments where security restrictions and non-availability of space had made it tough to offer better services. "The towers are being set up on defence land," he said.
According to officials, the BTS towers set up by BSNL will also be used by other service providers, particularly in areas where there was no connectivity. "The arrangements need to be worked out through an agreement with the Defence Ministry as to how we can allow private service providers to use our BTS stations. We can make available one BTS to four other service providers," said P K Saha, BSNL deputy general manager (broadband).
The move to install BTS towers follows connectivity complaints from citizens in areas close to defence establishments where there were no BTS towers.
Khadki Cantonment Board vice-president Manish Anand said he had earlier complained to the board and raised the issue of connectivity in some areas at the board meeting. "There are some areas like Duncan Road and a junction between Mullah Road and Khadki bazaar where there is no connectivity. Even within the KCB office, connectivity is poor. Earlier, Aircel set up boosters at KCB office, which improved connectivity."
Saha said through each BTS station, on an average, mobile connections will be provided to at least 2,500 people and the maximum distance between the two areas covering the transreceiver will be 1 km. "The connections provided on each BTS will be determined by call traffic in a particular area. It will depend on number of incoming and outgoing calls that each BTS will service. On an average, we can provide connectivity between two towers to over 4,000 people. The maximum distance in city areas between two towers can go upto 1 km while some need to be set up even at a closer distance of 500 metres. BTS stations being set up are of standard height," said Saha.
