Reliance Communications, the flagship company of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG) on Tuesday launched its CDMA wireless broadband services in Uttar Pradesh.
Known as Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus, it is a wireless plug-in internet device, which offers 30% higher downlink rate in comparison to other wireless broadband offerings.
Speaking on the occasion, Reliance Communications? regional head, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Saleem Haq, said, ?The launch of Netconnect Broadband Plus will act as a catalyst in the government?s effort to increase internet penetration. It will also boost the internet industry and the enable broadband access to millions of internet users.?
It may be mentioned here that broadband penetration in India stands at an abysmal 0.5%. In the US, the figure stands at 21.9%, while in Korea it is 27.4% and China?s 3.7%.
The Netconnect broadband service will be available in 35 cities covering 20,000 towns and 4.5 lakh villages as well as major road and rail routes across the country covering 99% of India?s internet population. Demonstrating the features of Netconnect Broadband Plus, Reliance Communications? circle head of network operations, Shishir Shyam, said, ?Netconnect Broadband Plus has a peak downlink speed of up to 3.1 mbps and a separate uplink speed of up to 1.8 mbps, which is 30% higher downlink rate compared to any other wireless broadband offerings.? The device costs Rs 3,500 with different monthly tariff plans.
?Lucknow is the second city after Mumbai, where this service has been launched. In Mumbai this service was launched about a week back,? said Haq.
India?s poor broadband penetration can be attributed to the limitations of wireless internet like last mile connectivity, right of way issues, poor quality of copper, time taken to deploy the network and reach customer premises. Reliance hopes to significantly enhance the broadband coverage and make broadband internet available easily.
