Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 274/15

CHIEF MINISTER INAUGURATES NEXT GENERATION NETWORK LANDLINE SERVICES OF BSNL

Shillong, May 8, 2015: Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma today inaugurated the Next Generation Network Landline Services of BSNL in a function held at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong in the presence of Chief General Manager NE-I Circle, Shillong, D P Singh and other officials of the telecom department.

BSNL has installed NGN (Next Generation Landline Services) equipment in Shillong. NGN is an IP based network which replaces present wire line telephone technology thereby offering a lot of new facilities similar to mobile technology. NGN will allow BSNL to provide landline and Broadband connection from the same equipment thereby increasing the reach, coverage and availability of BSNL Broadband services.

Congratulating BSNL in ensuring that Meghalaya is not left behind in smart telecommunication, Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma said that the delivery of the smart solution to the state is befitting to the expectations of the generation next and enable us to remain as global citizens. He hoped that the signing of agreement to have access to Broadband services through Cox Bazaar in Bangladesh will ease the connectivity problem in the region. Stating that many development activities can take place with pro active geo-political engagement he assured of joint and shared responsibility by the government in taking up the issue.

He also said that such type of technology is very crucial for making the city the most liveable city and all endeavors of the government can be funneled in this technology and will help the government to take care of various initiatives with complete understanding.

Chief General Manager NE-I Circle, Shillong, D P Singh said that 5,340 crores has been sanctioned to all the seven states of North East for the extension of network to the remotest villages and strengthening of services. He also informed that one of the main problems of BSNL is lack of manpower as employees are usually from outside the state. To address this problem the department has taken up to recruit locals which will be actively considered he added.

Earlier, General Manager Telecom District, Meghalaya, M Sujata informed that in the first phase 4000 telephone lines of levels 2220 less than 2226 working from main Telephone Exchange Shillong will be replaced with NGN telephone lines. These customers will now get additional facilities on their landline experience improved voice quality and broadband services. In the second phase another 10,000 lines in all major locations in Shillong and at Tura, Jowai, Nongpoh, Nongstoin, Williamnagar, Mawkyrwat, Mairang etc. will be migrated to NGN by March, 2016.

Presently NGN switch provides all the existing landline services like voice, fax and supplementary services like call waiting, call forwarding, 3 way call conferencing, better internet access and internet speed that can go up to 24Mbps.