Taking on competition from private internet service providers in the “data card” arena, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will soon launch the high-speed EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) datacards.

Though BSNL had introduced its own data cards, it had not marketed them aggressively because the much fasater EV-DO cards were on their way.

The new cards are said to be 10 times faster than the other existing data cards, running on either GSM or CDMA voice channels.

BSNL DGM R K Verma told Deccan Herald that though the formal launch date was not finalised, the process to upgrade towers was on. “Unlike other data card service, which provides internet service on the voice channel, there will be a dedicated line for internet service in this. We are also in the process of creating a database for customers and it is in its final stages,”' he said.

Currently, the Airtel data card provides internet service through GSM voice channel, while Reliance and Tata Indicom are providing the same through CDMA voice channel. ``We are also using CDMA platform to provide internet service. When we use voice channel, the download speed cannot exceed 144 kbps. Once we have EV-DO, the download capacity moves upto 2mbps,'' Mr Verma said.

EV-DO rides on CDMA signal-1x data capability available everywhere CDMA voice service available It has up to 10 times the peak data rate of the next best public wireless solution - 500 to 1,000 Kbps average (kilobits per second) and allows the user to be "connected" wherever they are - not only for email, but for downloads, large files, photos and spreadsheets.

Users can work on a large variety of applications, including the MS Office Suite and others, so they can do business anywhere and access mission-critical documents and information wherever you are.

EV-DO also has certain advantages over WiFi, which is always on and seamless roaming. The customers can access their corporate VPN (virtual private network) anywhere. They an get a cellular signal via a secure, encrypted signal, can download and run video clips in real time. It has a relatively low cost with high capacity, which allows rich web browsing and application usage. However, there are short comings in the cards offered by BSNL. The BSNL has its CDMA phones in only Metros and in Karnataka, it will only be available in Bangalore. ``We are providing data card services through CDMA platform and it does not have roaming facility to small towns and rural areas like other cellular service providers,'' Mr Verma added.