DishnetDSL's first hub in educational institution

DishnetDSL Ltd has announced the setting up of an Internet HUB-a modern browsing centre-in Delhi, taking the tally to 21 in the capital.

This particular hub is a result of the effort started in association with the Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd (DSCSC). The HUB was jointly inaugurated by Dr Narender Nath, Education Minister, Delhi and Yoganand Shastri, Delhi Civil Supplies Minister at SP Mukherjee College of Women. It is the first such facility started by DishnetDSL in an educational institution in Delhi, and is one of the 140 HUB centres that the company has been operating in 59 cities across India.

"In our continuous endeavour to spread Internet culture in the country, the Dishnet HUBs at educational institutions will provide inexpensive Internet access to the students, who want to use it after their study hours," said Charles Chacko, VP, Hub Operations, DishnetDSL Ltd. Offering access at Rs 30 per hour, all the Dishnet HUBs are equipped with the latest hardware and software systems including the standard leased lines or high-speed digital subscriber line (DSL) connectivity. On an average, these are 20-seat browsing centres that provide a comfortable environment to the user.

According to Chacko, the company has planned to set up 20 more such centres in New Delhi during the next six months. Under the tie-up, it will use the DSCSC's vacant Public Distribution System (PDS) booths to start these Internet HUBs for the common people.

Dishnet has already floated a joint venture with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Ltd to start Internet browsing facilities at IOC's 7,600 petrol pumps in the country. Similar arrangements have been made with Indian Railways to establish such centres at the railway stations.

It's estimated that about 40,000 people daily visit Dishnet hubs across the country, and the number is expected to grow by 50 percent by the end of this year.