The state-owned telecom operator has set up Wi-Fi hotspots based on Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology in six different places. It is providing free Internet service for three month as it is testing the service. [break]
NT is currently preparing Wi-Fi tariff for hourly usage. “We are preparing tariff for our Wi-Fi service. Once the tariff is finalized, customers can buy vouchers of different denominations and use Wi-Fi service for the stipulated time,” Shubash Chandra Shah, project manager of WiMAX, said, adding that the tariff would be finalized within two weeks. “After costumers buy the vouchers, we will send them username and password through SMS.”
At present, NT is providing free Wi-Fi at Tribhuwan International Airport, Bir Hospital, Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre and different offices of NT. It has also installed Wi-Fi hotspot in Basantapur in collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
According to Shah, NT will install Wi-Fi hotspot in all domestic airports and NT regional offices.
Currently, NT is providing unlimited wireless broadband Internet of 256 kbps for Rs 1,050 per month and volume based plan for up to 8.26 paisa per MB. Guna Keshari Pradhan, spokesperson for NT, said the tariff for volume based plan for Wi-Fi service through hotspots will be very competitive.
NT is aggressively promoting WiMAX Internet service across the country. It plans to set up 500 Wi-Fi hotspots in different parts of the country in this fiscal year. Earlier, NT had said that it would set up 1,500 Wi-Fi hotspots in this fiscal year.
“We have launched door-to-door campaign to promote WiMAX service,” Pradhan said.NT has recently organized the campaign in Banepa, Dhulikhel, Nepalthok, Namo Buddha, Barhabise, Tatopani, Chautara, Charikot, Jiri and Manthali.
“We will be organizing the campaign in Rasuwa, Dhanusha, Gorkha, Nuwakot and Dhading before Dashain,” Shah said, adding that the campaign aims to educate the customers of remote areas about WiMAX service.
According to NT, WiMAX is now available in 71 districts across the country. The state-owned telecom operator plans to expand the service to remaining four districts -- Dolpa, Mugu, Humla and Solukhumbu -- by the first week of November.
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