BSNL Will Launch Hi-speed Broadband Data Cards Next Weekend

24 October 2009

BSNL will launch hi-speed broadband data cards, called Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) cards, for the residents of Mangalore, Udupi, and Manipal. 

Y C Mishra, the principal general manager of Dakshina Kannada Telecom District, has assured that the cards would give customers a speed of 2 mbps, which is 14 times faster than the speed offered by BSNL’s present Network Interface Cards (NICs). Customers will have to pay Rs. 650 per month for unlimited usage, both in terms of time and quantity of data downloaded.

 Mr. Mishra said that the new plug and play cards can be inserted into the USB port of desktops and laptops. Moreover, they are compliant with the third generation mobile telecommunications standards called CDMA2000. 

The new EVDO card can be purchased for Rs. 3,500 or rented for Rs 200 per month. This card could be used anywhere in the state without any additional roaming charge. Mr. Mishra, however, said that the access speed of the card would come down to 144 kbps once the customer went out of Mangalore, Manipal, or Udupi. 

Mr. Mishra believes that more than 1,500 EVDO cards will be sold in Mangalore, Udupi, and Manipal within the first month of its release. He said that the cards will be available at all BSNL customer service centers by next weekend.