NT launches FTTH internet service
KATHMANDU:
Nepal Telecom (NT) today launched ‘Fiber to The Home’ (FTTH), a high-speed broadband internet technology that offers data service to cater to the growing demand for connectivity with higher bandwidth options.
The FTTH technology uses optical fibre for data transfer and customer premise equipment (CPE), a multi-featured device for a connection between user devices and the server computer through fibre distribution point. Installation of the technology will make it possible for both broadband internet and voice communication through a single fibre.
According to NT, the high-speed broadband internet service initially ranges from 1 mbps to 100 mbps whereas multimedia service and bandwidths will be available in the near future through the same technology. The telecom company claims this is the best quality of internet data service available in the country till date. The service supports all kinds of internet facilities like video on demand, television channels and gaming needs.
Installation of the technology requires optical fibre connected to customer premises equipment from the fibre distribution point. The device consists of four RJ-45 ethernet interface for high-speed internet, inbuilt wi-fi router for wireless connection, a cable interface for television channels, and two RJ-11 telephone interfaces for voice communication.
Speaking during the inauguration programme held here today, Minister of Information and Communications Minendra Rijal urged Nepal Telecom officials to realise the competitive advantages of the new technology. “This technology should have come earlier. However, it is better now than never,” said Rijal. “With this new technology, other related services should also be made competitive in the market and more accessible for the people.”
The telecom is all set to implement its first phase of FTTH service from Sundhara counter in four areas of Kathmandu, namely Durbarmarg, Kamaladi, Kathmandu Plaza and Jamal within the next two weeks. The telecom is also planning to extend the service further to areas like Thamel, Lazimpat, Sorhakhutte, Chabahil, Swayambhu, Chhetrapati, Bouddha, Kopundole, Patan Durbar and Satdobato, among others in the valley within the next two months. Likewise, the service will be gradually extended out of the Valley like Bharatpur, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Butwal within the next four to five months.
“Initially, we are targeting corporate houses but will gradually make it accessible to every household,” said Buddhi Prasad Acharya, managing director of NT. “This service will help promote digital inclusion by fostering e-governance, e-banking and e-commerce.”
NT will carry out installation works after studying distribution point feasibility based on requests from customers. It will provide CPE device, required by the technology, at different rates ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000, based on the length of the package requested.
The company has fixed a registration fee of Rs 500 and drop fibre cable will be available at Rs 60 per metre. Once the installation is completed, the company offers data service, which ranges from Rs 1,140 for 20 GB per month to Rs 18,240 for 480 GB data per year. Likewise, customers can choose among several bandwidths, ranging from 1 to 4 mbps to 16 to 20 mbps in unlimited packages, which are available at Rs 7,600 to Rs 8,000 per mbps for a bandwidth of 16 to 20 mbps.
Source: THT
