Karnataka > Telecommunications of Karnataka
Bangalore Cantonment appears to be the first recipient of telephone system, soon after its installation at Madras. During the Khedda Operation at Kakanakote in 1889, a line of about 36 miles was laid between Hunsur and Kakanakote. Another line of about 17 km was laid between Hesaraghatta Water Reservoir and Chikkabanavar during 1896. During the plague outbreak in Bangalore and Mysore in 1898, temporary telephone lines were installed at Bangalore for anti-plague operations. In 1899, 50 government offices were provided with permanent lines. In 1909, new lines were laid in Mysore city and later connected to Bangalore in 1911-12. The telephone system was under the control of Electricity Department in the beginning. By 1918, the total length of telephone lines in the princely Mysore State was about 852 km. Use of telephones in the twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad was started in 1936. On 31.3.1936, a telephone exchange of 50 connections was established at Dharwad. Belgaum city appears to have got telephone in 1930.
When Karnataka Postal Circle was formed in 1960, the administration of the Postal and Telecommunication services in the State was with this newly created postal circle. Due to the expansion of postal and telecommunication services, the combined set-up was bifurcated on 1.9.1974. The Karnataka Postal Circle was headed by the Post Master General, whereas Karnataka Telecommunications Circle was headed by the General Manager. There was a separate General Manager for Bangalore city telephones.
During the period from 1982 to 1992, there was rapid expansion in the telephone system. As a result, 83,258 telephones which were in use during 1982, rose to 3,75,043 telephones in 1992-93. By March 2000, there were 18,29,400 telephones working in the State and Bangalore (Urban) District. ranked first with 6,08,103 telephones. As on March 2003, there were altogether 27,53,499 telephone connections serving the needs of the people in the State. There were 739 telephone exchanges functioning in Karnataka Circle in 1982, as against 1707 in 1992. As many as 92 new exchanges were started in 199293 and thus bringing the total number to 1,799 exchanges. They rose to 2,354 by March 2000. As on March 2003, it had gone upto 2,696.
A separate circle was formed for Bangalore Telephones in 1964. It was upgraded into major Telephone district on 23-7-1976. The growth of Bangalore Telecom District was spectacular. In 1966, there were only 13,300 telephones in Bangalore and it increased to 44,800 in 1978 and to 57,658 in 1982. During 1989, there were 85,475 phone connections. The Belgaum Exchange started functioning from 1957. Telephone Exchange of Bellary was commissioned in 1940, and had 50 connections at the outset. In 1952, telephone link between Mysore and Madikeri was established. Use of Telephones in Madikeri City began on 22-1-1955. The first telephone exchange in Chitradurga district, was started at Davangere on 5-2-1953 with 44 connections. The telephone exchanges at Mandya and Chikmagalur, were started in 1955 and 1956. In 1971, there were 33 exchanges with 7,310 telephones in Dakshina Kannada district.
Mangalore City alone had 4,200 telephones. There were 18,753 connections in use in 1960-61, and their number in 1991-92 was 1,39,503. There were 1,30,230 telephones in Dakshina Kannada District, where as 52,011 telephones were operating in Udupi District. by March 2000.
BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.,) is providing varied telecommunication services to the whole country. Besides it, Private Agencies are also in the field. Mobile Phone Service has become more common now a days and through it people are getting maximum benefit. Infact it has succeeded in bringing the people closer and closer. Mobile instruments are available at competitive price with facilities like SMS (Short Message Service), Camera, Playing games etc., provided within them.
In 1992-93, the number of STD/ISD routes in the State was 590. Apart from district headquarters, 159 taluk headquarters were brought under the STD network. During 92-93, 767 STD points were newly opened in order to facilitate greater access to the non-telephone owning public. The total STD points stood at 2,800. By providing new connections to 1,207 village panchayats, altogether 5,644 village panchayats were linked up with the telephone network. Traveling public too were taken care of by installing 207 public telephones on the national highways. There were 20,933 public STD booths working in different parts of the state by the end of March 1999. Free phone connections were provided to 598 tribal villages and 48 hospitals at various district headquarters. At present, all the taluk and hobli headquarters were brought under STD network and majority of the villages were provided with telephone services.
The first Telex Exchange in Karnataka was established at Bangalore in 1963. Later followed the Telex Exchanges at Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, Belgaum, Davanagere, Bellary and Raichur, Nine more exchanges were opened during 1992, thus bringing the number of Telex Exchanges to 3,079, and those on the waiting list were 462. Fax service, E-mail and internet facilities have made communication both cheaper and quicker.
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