BSNL to extend connectivity to rural Sikkim

"It has been decided to provide WLL services with high speed internet facilities to Mangan, Namchi, Naya Bazar and Geyzing, while broadband would be extended to Chungthang, Pelling, Sombaria, Soreng, covering the remote regions in all four districts of the Himalayan state, BSNL General Manager (Sikkim) S.N. Roychowduri said.

Similarly, new GSM mobile BTSS would be set up at Singtam, Martam, Tashiding, Phudong and Lachun for extending mobile services to these places, Roychowdhuri added.

Work was on for laying optical fibre cables (OFC) from Namching to Namthang and from Makha to Mangan for ensuring better mobile and landline connectivity in Sikkim, he said.

Referring to the present unsatisfactory broadband internet services in the state capital, he said that an alternative microwave has been set up to improve both telephony and internet connectivity.

On the need for telephone connectivity at the tourist destinations like Nathu La and Lachung, the BSNL GM said that while telephone connectivity upto Nathu La on the Sino-India border has not been extended due to security reasons, similar facilities in Lachung in North Sikkim would be in place soon.

BSNL has, however, provided broadband services at Nathu La and it was being used by the troops, Roychowdhuri said.

On BSNL's target for attracting mobile users in this financial year, he said that about 40,000 to 50,000 connections would be given. The BSNL GM said that a revenue of Rs 32 crore was earned in Sikkim in the financial year 2007-8, up by Rs two crore from last year.

There was an outstanding arrear of Rs 8.45 crore pending with the consumers for which the BSNL has appointed recovery agents.