Jio Partners With ISRO For Satellite 4G; BSNL’s Rs 99 Broadband Pack Launched!
Jio wants to connect rural India with satellite based 4G network.
India’s fastest growing telecom service provider: Reliance Jio has decided to join forces with ISRO for providing high-speed 4G connectivity via satellites.
Which users will be able to access this connectivity? And how will it work?
Keep reading, as we share some interesting details, besides BSNL’s new salvo against Jio GigaFiber: Rs 99 broadband pack!
Jio + ISRO = Satellite 4G!
In a first of its kind initiative, ISRO and Jio have joined their forces for providing high-speed 4G connectivity using satellites.
This new platform based on satellite backhaul-based network will provide 4G LTE connectivity to remote rural locations.
Besides ISRO, Jio has already partnered with technology from Hughes Communications (HCIL) for this unique initiative.
How Will It Work?
There are more than 400 LTE sites, which cannot be covered under terrestrial backhaul services, which is the norm for all telcos. These 400 odd LTE sites would be now connected via satellite backhaul-based network.
Recently, Reliance gave a $10 million contract to Hughes Communications (HCIL) for executing this new form of satellite-based network, and ISRO would provide the satellite linkups.
Jio is establishing two Earth station at Mumbai and Nagpur for the same purpose, which will act as the hub for this satellite connectivity, meanwhile, two mini-hubs shall be established at Leh and Port Blair.
Once the whole system is in place, rural users in North East, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Andaman Nicobar, and Lakshadweep would be able to access the high-speed 4G internet using Jio’s network.
Shivaji Chatterjee, SVP & Head – Enterprise Business, Hughes Communications India said, “The focus may be on remote and hilly and island areas, but also on remote areas in the mainland in Maharashtra, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh.”
Other telco players such as Airtel, Vodafone and BSNL have been using this satellite backhaul-based network for 2G and 3G network.
This is for the first time that the same would be used for 4G connectivity.
BSNL’s Rs 99 Broadband Pack Will Challenge Jio!
Meanwhile, state-run carrier BSNL has against decided to launch new broadband plans, mainly for challenging Jio GigaFiber’ earth-shattering plans.
BSNL broadband users can now avail these 4 new plans: Rs 99, Rs 199, Rs 229 and Rs 399, under which they will be getting Internet at 20 Mbps speed.
Here are the plan details:
| Rs 99 | 45 GB (daily FUP of 1.5 GB) |
| Rs 199 | 150 GB (daily FUP of 5 GB) |
| Rs 299 | 300 GB (daily FUP of 10 GB) |
| Rs 399 | 600 GB (daily FUP of 20 GB) |
Note here:
a) These plans are only for new broadband users, and not existing users.
b) Security deposit of Rs 400 needs to be paid for these plans
c) There is a 90-day period of free unlimited voice calling as well, with these plans.
We will keep you updated, as we receive more details.
