BSNL to set up connectivity through Bangladesh

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has planned telecom connectivity through Bangladesh for the northeastern region of the country, due to tough terrain and geographical isolation, a top BSNL executive said today.

"The ministry has attached much importance in consolidating telecom network in north east region and we are interested in setting up an alternative route through Bangladesh due to tough terrain," chairman and managing director R K Upadhayaya said.

Connectivity would be set up between Agartala and Dhaka via Akhaura in Bangladesh and between Sabroom in south Tripura and Cox's Bazar in Chittagong, Bangladesh, to provide smooth telecom connectivity, he told reporters.

“Optical fibre cable (OFC) has been laid between Kolkata and Dhaka. With the implementation of the new telecom policy in next financial year, BSNL would be able to expand telecom network across rural India,” Upadhyay said.

He hoped BSNL would retain its business and buy more equipment to provide better service in the country and compete with other telecom companies.

Upadhyaya came here to discuss with chief minister Manik Sarkar about the development plans in Tripura and the region.

Government has planned to extend OFC to 25,000 panchayats across the country to provide broadband services, he said.