K'taka tops in broadband links

Karnataka has become the circle with the highest number of broadband connections, with the number of connections crossing the two lakh mark, a top official of Karnataka Telecom said.

"With broadband connections in the Karnataka circle crossing the 2 lakh mark last week, it becomes the first circle in the country to achieve that," T S Kuppuswamy, Chief General Manager, Karnataka Telecom Circle told reporters today.

At present, the broadband capacity is 3.7 lakh and working connections number 2.4 lakh. "We are looking at wiping out the waiting list soon," he said.

During 2007-08, broadband facility was extended to 700 additional locations in Karnataka, including 330 in Bangalore and 350 in the rest of Karnataka. In the next two months, an additional 100 locations in Bangalore and 200 in the rest of Karnataka will also be provided with broadband facility, Kuppuswamy said.

Code Division Multiplying Access (CDMA) Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) capacity in Karnataka circle has been expanded by 2 lakh in 2007-08. During January-end 2008, the capacity stood at 4.21 lakh and working connections, 2.62 lakh.

Internet, with data speed of 144 kbps is available to subscribers of CDMA WLL in Karnataka.

For subscribers in Bangalore, EVDO facility on WLL will enable internet access on 2 mbps data speed will be available in March 2008.

"This facility will not only be available in Bangalore, but will also be extended to all district headquarters and important taluks in the state," Kuppuswamy said.