Just a couple of days back BSNL launched a WiFi car module on a pilot basis in Madhya Pradesh circle, as it was covered on Telecomtalk. I am interested in the news as this WiFi module gets the data while on move from BSNL's CDMA 1x EVDO network to offer upto 3.1 Mbps downlink and upto 1.8Mbps uplink.
As I find in Kolkata and West Bengal BSNL has very inadequate EVDO coverage in suburban areas and towns, and BSNL employess are always trying to push its 3G services instead of EVDO, this move from BSNL MP circle is kind of off-bit.
Earlier there was a rumor that BSNL is working on to use CDMA spectrum (800MHz) more effectively, and I shared my thoughts regarding this. All private CDMA operators - Reliance, Tata Tele and MTS India have huge data customers on their CDMA network, and BSNL is still sleeping.
Everyone knows how BSNL 3G is bad in services - be it coverage, speed, capacity of BTS and so on in most of the circles. Private GSM players are installing 7.2Mbps BTS in most places, while BSNL has mostly 3.6Mbps BTS across the country (in Southern circles BSNL has 14.4Mbps BTS in some places).
BSNL should focus more on EVDO, as it offers more coverage, more capacity (due to very few voice customers), and more consistency of services. Car WiFi module can be a start, but we can not hope more from BSNL as it always goes in the wrong way.
BSNL has issues with investments as it is centrally operated. So LTE on 800MHz can not be seen easily from BSNL. EVDO Rev A is the only option we can see from BSNL's CDMA network. EVDO Rev A platform is widely used by Reliance, Tata and MTS India, and BSNL is just sitting and watching while making losses. BSNL should start covering more places with EVDO and start promoting it.
