Dishnet to offer access via DSL

The Internet service provider Dishnet Ltd. will introduce Internet connectivity through digital subscriber line
(DSL) technology in Chennai within the next two weeks.

With DSL technology, subscribers will be able to access the Net through leased lines provided by the service provider instead of telephone lines. This would mean that the user will not have to incur telephone charges while surfing the Net. According to Dishnet Ltd. director J. Vijay ``There is huge potential for this service in India and we are targeting a subscriber base of 2.4 lakh users in one year. We will begin DSL in Chennai in two weeks and our next launch will be in Mumbai.''

An Internet subscriber using DSL technology would have to shell out a one-time registration fee of Rs 29,950 - which is inclusive of the modem and a monthly fee of Rs 1,995 for unlimited use.

Dishnet offers "ETH Internet freedom plan" a one hour of free Internet access every day for five years at a registration fee of Rs. 3,600. Every additional hour per day will cost Rs. 10. To popularise the use of the Internet, Dishnet is working on Web sites in regional languages. It has launched one in Tamil called Minnambalam and plans one in Malayalam next. They are also planning to rope in a foreign partner.