Upgrade mobile network in UP: Prasad to BSNL

Networks in Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi have already been upgraded with IP based technology

Union minister for communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad has directed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for upgrading the mobile network in Uttar Pradesh Circle.

He asked officials to upgrade the existing mobile network in all the major cities with IP based technology.

While, the network in Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi had been upgraded with IP based technology, Allahabad, Azamgarh, Bahraich, Barabanki, Basti, Deoria, Faizabad, Mirzapur, Sultanpur, Gonda, Jhansi & Mau are in queue.

Prasad directed BSNL officials to upgrade the services in the remaining cities expeditiously during a review meeting at Allahabad recently.

In the current fiscal, 625 BTSs of 2G and 710 Nodes of 3G with estimated cost of Rs 100 crore is likely to be inducted in the mobile network. Wi-Fi hotspots, which are operational at 43 locations, are planned to be enhanced by adding 106 new locations during 2016-17.

Meanwhile, Prasad informed the postal 'Payment Bank' scheme of the Centre was the largest in the world. Through this scheme, the rural citizens would be connected with the main stream, so that they could contribute to the country's economic development. A hand held machine would be given to postmen to provide door-to-door banking services in remote areas.