TOKYO - NTT
Communications Corp is teaming up with Toshiba Corp to
sell a wireless local area network (LAN) broadband
communications service to universities and other
schools.
The new service
uses NTT Communications' Hotspot wireless LAN
service. Musashino University in Tokyo has already signed up for
the new service, which is expected to go into operation this
month. Base stations will be installed in five to 10
locations such as the cafeteria and classrooms around
campus, enabling access to the Internet to anyone within
100 meters.
The university will also give
students buying designated personal computers with
built-in wireless LAN functionality a 40,000 yen
(US$336) subsidy. The freshman class will be targeted in
the program's initial year so that wireless LAN
capabilities spread universitywide in four years. The
university sees the wireless LAN service making it more
attractive to potential students.
NTT
Communications hopes to introduce the service at 20-30
schools over a year.
