Bhubaneswar, Aug. 21: A wireless broadband service, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), was launched in 80 locations across Orissa today.

During his visit yesterday, the Union minister of state for communications and information technology, Sachin Pilot, had announced the launch of Wimax service.

“We have successfully launched the Wimax service and it is now available to customers. No problems have been reported so far. The service will be extended to another 27 locations of the state by the end of this year,” said BSNL chief general manager A.N. Ray.

Presently, the Wimax service of BSNL is mostly available in rural pockets, he added.

Wimax allows users to access services like video telephony, television on the mobile phone, video conferencing, telemedicine and e-learning. Once the Wimax service is launched, internet access in rural pockets will be available at a faster speed.

“People in the rural areas will reap the benefits of the high speed wireless broadband connection. Depending on the terrain, each Wimax-BTS (base-terminal substation) will provide coverage up to 15 km,” Ray said. Addressing a media conference here yesterday, Pilot said that BSNL in Orissa would add 10.25 lakh mobile phones during 2010-11. “This will be achieved through investments in capacity, improving the quality of services through close monitoring, and ensuring that all areas are covered,” he said.

Pilot said that as 10 BSNL towers have been damaged by Maoists, the department will install 496 additional mobile towers this fiscal year. “We will not be bogged down by the threat of the Maoists. Besides the towers, 988 satellite phones would be provided to the inaccessible pockets of the state.”

Pilot also announced that 89 post offices have been included in Orissa under Project Arrow Department of Posts in the state.

These post offices will provide world-class services and significantly enhanced customer service.