Nepal Telecom (NT), the country's government-owned telecommunication service provider, has announced to introduce high-speed public Wi-Fi Internet service at 173 places across the country within this year, government officials said on Tuesday.

Though the NT has currently been providing free public Wi-Fi services at several places in Kathmandu to promote its WiMax wireless broadband service, it also has been preparing to introduce a tariff for the service at the earliest.

As a trial, the telecom service provider had offered free Wi-Fi services at places including Tribhuwan International Airport, Bir Hospital, Teaching Hospital, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square Dabali, Kathmandu Metropolitan City office, Gangalal Hospital, Central Investigation Bureau and the NT office from September this year.

"We have sought government's approval to introduce Wi-Fi tariff, " Guna Keshari Pradhan, spokesperson at NT told Xinhua, adding that the new tariff rate will shortly be introduced after the government's go-ahead.

She also said the NT has been preparing ground works, including the installation of hot spots to expand the public Wi-Fi services based on Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) at 173 places of Nepal.

"We will offer service at these places along with the introduction of the tariff rate," she added.

According to NT officials, users of both pre-paid and post paid mobile can enjoy the service. They also said the service will be useful to both local and foreigner service seekers.