BSNL targets 30,000 new rural broadband kiosks in two years

State-owned Indian telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) aims to set up 30,000 new broadband kiosks in rural and remote regions over the next two years using a franchise model, the Economic Times reports. It is understood that BSNL will look to select one operating partner for each of its four operational zones – which it breaks down into North, South, East and West – and each kiosk is expected to develop a self-sustaining model over a three-year period. Those people living in rural areas where the equipment is deployed will be expected to pay a small charge to access high speed internet services via the kiosks, although the telco has not indicated the level of this access fee. BSNL is currently in the process of setting up broadband access equipment in all rural exchanges where it plans to expand its fixed line broadband services.