KATHMANDU, Oct 6: State-owned operator Nepal Telecom (NT) is all set to launch high-speed broadband Internet service based on WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) technology by November 9.
According to a senior official of NT, preparations were in the final stages and they were targeting to launch the service by November 9. Under WiMAX, customers can enjoy internet speed up to 27 MBPS.
The US based telecommunication solution service provider has completed installation and the operator is testing the service at present. NT earlier this year had signed an agreement worth US $10 million with the company for supplying equipment and to develop infrastructure for the project.
Spokesperson of NT, Gunakeshari Pradhan said that they were in the final stages for launching the service. Pradhan said the service would be available before Tihar.
The authority has also proposed the tariff from different packages ranging from 5 GB to 30 GB. The operator has proposed Rs 650 for a package of 5 GB internet. Likewise, the operator has proposed a package of 30 GB internet can cost up to Rs 2,700.
The bandwidth of the service can be adjusted as per the customer´s demand, according to the officials. Pradhan said the different packages were being introduced to suit the need of different kind of customers.
The operator has installed the equipments in 46 points in the Kathmandu valley and surrounding areas in the first phase.
NT is planning to launch the service in Kathmandu Valley in the first phase. It plans to expand the service to Bhairahawa, Pokhara and their surrounding VDCs in the second phase. The operator has also started installing the equipments in Bhairahawa and Pokhara.
The WiMAX broadband project targets to take high-speed Internet service in all VDCs by the end of 2013. Also known as the fourth generation (4G) communication technology, WiMAX is popular for high-speed wireless Internet service.
NT plans to implement the project under two phases. In the first phase, it is building a network that covers 1,923 VDCs and 24 municipalities in western Nepal. Likewise, in the second phase the service will be made available in 2,092 VDCs and 34 municipalities in eastern Nepal.
Although WiMAX can also be used for voice telephony, NT is focusing mainly on the data segment that will have a minimum bandwidth of 256 kbps downlink and uplink. The service provider is also setting up 1,500 hotspots for WiMAX in urban areas specially in public places like hospital, parks, apartments and others.
Customer-premise equipment is required to avail this service whereas WiFi device can be used in the areas covered by hotspots.
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