India Broadband Forum

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Dealing a blow to CDMA technology propagators, state-run BSNL has decided to include GSM-based fixed wireless services in its FWP offerings.

BSNL is already providing Fixed Wireless Terminals (FWTs) in urban as well as rural areas. These FWTs are being provided under CDMA technology. It is not yet clear if BSNL would completely switch to GSM for its FWP service for its future roll-outs or it would simultaneously offer both GSM and CDMA based fixed wireless services.

Recently, Airtel started providing fixed phones using GSM technology under their licence areas and is targeting fixed line customers with very aggressive tariffs, BSNL said in a letter to its field units.

This proposal was discussed during a management meeting held on July 27. It was decided that BSNL too should introduce Fixed Telephones under GSM technology as a product in the market, the letter said.

BSNL has asked its field units to communicate the requirement for Fixed Cellular Terminals (GSM) in order to
provide Fixed Telephone lines in GSM coverage area on demand.

Reliance Communication and Tata Teleservices' CDMA-based fixed wireless telephones have become quite popular with nearly one million subscribers across the country. Bharti Airtel uses the GSM technology to offer FWP. This also
completes Bharti's service portfolio as an integrated telecom services provider.

FWP is like a fixed line telephone suited for home use, except that it is wireless. FWP have bulkier terminals like that of a wire line phone but the utility is like that of a mobile phone. The Government considers FWP as a mobile phone service for regulatory purposes.