MTNL launches prepaid CDMA, Wi-Fi services

New Delhi, Feb 7: State-owned MTNL today launched its prepaid CDMA mobile service, becoming the only player to operate in both the GSM and CDMA space, and Wi-Fi enabled Broadband service, which will be available to the customers in Delhi from tomorrow.

''The CDMA set will be available to the customers at a cost of Rs 1,499 with a talk time of Rs 25 valid for seven days. It will offer a talk time of Rs 1,499 on local networks for one year,'' said company's Executive Director A K Arora.

The charges for a 15 second outgoing call to the company's own networks will be 10 paise and 25 paise for other networks. The STD charges will be Rs 2.40 per call.

The local SMS charges are 25 paise, national 50 paise and international Rs 2.50.

The recharge vouchers will be available in four denominations of Rs 110, Rs 330, Rs 1,100 and Rs 1,800.

The prepaid broadband connection with Wi-Fi modem will enable the subscribers to create private public access hot spot for homes, educational institutions, business houses and others, Mr Arora added.

The service will be made available to the customers within 72 hours of applying.

By using radio waves (Wi-Fi enabled Broadband service), one can seek internet services in a range of 60 metres, Mr Arora said adding that the country needs to catch up 1,000 hot spots.

The Wi-Fi modem will work in the spectrum range of 2.4 GHz and will provide bandwidth of 54 Mbps. There can be up to 30 concurrent users in a range of 40 metre indoor and 60 metre outdoor.

Customers will have to pay Rs 500 as registration fee for the new service and Rs 800 towards security for the modem which will be non-refundable.

They will have to incur Rs 300 for installation and testing and Rs 150 will be charged as the monthly rental.

The existing customers will pay additional security of Rs 300.

The monthly rental for modem for them will be Rs 150 instead of Rs 50.

Any existing broadband tariff plan can be chosen for usage, Mr Arora added.

UNI