PPRT comes as boon to rural folk

Kathmandu, March 8:

Now, rural people can also get access to internet due to Point-to-Point Radio Technology (PPRT) as Nepal Telecom (NT) has begun providing cable network and internet facility at places where Point of Presence (PoP) is not available.

“NT has brought into practice Point-to-Point Radio Technology — Wireless Multi Sector Radio technology — and people at places lacking Internet PoP and Copper Pair can now have easy access to internet services through this technology,” said NT director Lochan Amatya.

“Though this technology was introduced about two years ago, NT is going into expansion mode only now due to increase in the demand for internet services,” he added.

Multi Sector Radio technology is currently being used at Nepalgunj, Surkhet, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Simra and Hetauda. People in places with and without internet PoP and landlines are also using this technology.

According to NT, even in Kathmandu Valley the Multi Sector Radio Technology is being used where internet services are not accessible through other technologies.

Due to the increased demand for Internet services from customers wanting

internet service but lacking landline services, NT started this service.

It has also initiated its KU Band VSAT Terminal connections in various village development committees (VDCs) for the rural people.

According to NT spokesperson Surendra Thike, people in the rural areas are deprived of telephone services and the KU Band VSAT terminals will be enable them to access telephone services.

“The NT service is available in more than 3,200 VDCs and at those places where VSAT has not reached due to infrastructure problems,” said Thike. The KU Band VSAT terminal connection project started from February 4 in Myagdi. NT is trying to establish 550 terminals and plans to complete the project in two phases. During this fiscal year, around 150 terminals will be established. Till date three terminals have been set up.

Through the terminal, four telephone lines and one internet link will be provided. Of the four telephone lines, one will be used for public call office and the remaining three will be used according to demand in the place, Thike said.

Meanwhile, NT PSTN service has reached 73 districts while CDMA and GSM services are available in all 75 districts. The number of ADSL users till the month of Poush was 14,077.

To enhance the GSM and CDMA mobile services, NT is working to establish BTS towers and till end of Poush the company has brought 831 BTS towers into operation.