NT setting up 1,500 hotspots under WiMax in major cities
REPUBLICA
KATHMANDU, Feb 19: City dwellers will soon be able to use high-speed Internet in public places including hospitals, parks and airports. Nepal Telecom (NT) is setting up Wi-Fi hotspot, based on WiMax technology, in 1,500 different places in all major cities of the country.
Also known as Broadband Wireless Access, WiMAX is part of 4G, providing wireless data over long distance from point to point links to full mobile cellular type access.
This is part of NT´s WiMAX broadband project, which aims to provide Internet to all VDCs and 58 municipalities by 2012. NT is spending around $ 10 million on the project. NT has signed an agreement with USA-based equipment manufacturer and network solution provider Airspan for the project. Airspan is one of the leading vendors on broadband wireless products and solutions.
Pradip Thakur, Deputy Manager of NT, said, “The minimum Internet speed will be 256 kbps and one hotspot will be able to provide service to 100 customers.” Thakur further said customers in city areas will be able to enjoy Internet up to 3 km from the hotspot.
Customers will have to purchase customer-premises equipment to access this service. They will also have to purchase recharge card for the service. However, NT has not yet unveiled as to how customers can avail the service or what will be the cost. “We are still working on the business plan for this service,” added Thakur.
Under the WiMAX broadband project, NT will be establishing 200 BTS across the country. The technology is considered more reliable in rural areas as it offers better speed compared to other technologies. He said under WiMAX technology, customers of rural areas will be enjoying Internet speed up to 27 MBPS. “The minimum speed will be 256 kbps and we will be increasing the bandwidth as per the customer´s demand,” he said.
Airspan will start delivering the equipment within three months and will be launching test transmission in six months.
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NT Setting Up 1,500 Hotspots Under WiMax In Major Cities
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