Nokia Siemens Networks has announced that it has won a contract from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), to deploy broadband access across 7000 Indian villages. The contract is a part of the greenfield rural tender from BSNL.

The new access network's high bandwidth will allow BSNL to deliver high data and triple play intensive services such as Video on Demand, Video Multi cast, IPTV, Video Conferencing and VPN among others to its customers. The network will also enable BSNL to provide connectivity to CSCs (Community Service Centres) and other e-governance locations.

The two year agreement includes supply, installation and commissioning, training and annual maintenance contract for 5 years. As part of the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is deploying its Gigabit Ethernet-capable IP DSLAMs Surpass hiX5625 (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers) and chassis based access switch (Surpass hiD6615). Nokia Siemens Networks will also supply end-user devices that will enable BSNL to provide speeds of up to 24Mbps for ADSL2+ subscribers over its existing copper infrastructure. The first phase of new lines deployment will be completed by Q1 of 2008.

According to Kuldeep Goyal, chairman and managing director, BSNL, "BSNL is a pioneer in providing affordable high-quality communications services to Indian consumers and this mega broadband expansion initiative is another step in that direction. The BSNL rural broadband project will bridge digital divide and connect 20,000 villages in India."