While launching the service a month ago, the operator had said it would launch the high-speed Internet service for home users within a month. Now, it has decided to push back the plan for at least a few weeks because of the delay in the delivery of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE).[break]
Customers need a CPE, which comes in three types - outdoor, indoor and USB dongle - to use WiMax Internet.
“The plan has been delayed because we are yet to receive the equipment,” Guna Keshari Pradhan, spokesperson for the state-controlled operator, told Republica. She said the operator’s stock can meet the demand of corporate users only.
“We have received positive response from our corporate clients. We will launch the service for home users once we receive the equipment,” she added.
According to NT officials, outdoor CPE, which costs Rs 16,000, will enable the subscribers access signal within a range of 15 km. Similarly, the indoor device priced at Rs 12,000 can receive signal within 5 km range. The USB dongle is for personal use.
Under the WiMax technology, the operator is providing minimum speed of 256 kbps.
Pradhan told Republica that NT had already launched the service in Banepa and Dhulikhel and was in the process of installing the service in major cities across the country.
NT plans to make the service available across the country within a year.
Currently, NT is offering broadband Internet through WiMax for corporate customers at 9 paisa per MB. It is offering 50 percent discount for 3 months. Corporate users paying one-year advance get outdoor CPE free of cost.
Related story
WiMAX now in all 75 districts
