World famous Gulmarg ski resort was today connected to the outer world through a dedicated Wi-Fi zone which would provide internet connectivity at a high speed.

"Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) and Gulmarg Development Authority in collaboration with Directorate of Information Technology and Support System (IT&SS), University of Kashmir and Department of Tourism, have installed internet facility through Wi-Fi at Gulmarg Ski resort," an official spokesman said here.

He said the project spread over more than five square kms covers the whole area of Gulmarg bowl, including Kongdoori and Apharwat hill-tops.

The project was conceived, designed and implemented by the Network Design Team from IT&SS, University of Kashmir with bandwidth being provided by Software Technology Park of India (STPI).

The Directorate of IT&SS completed the project in a record time of four months. The efforts of the team were applauded by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who tested the Wi-Fi broadband connectivity, the spokesman said.

The KU-GULMARG Wi-Fi network is considered as one of the highest Wi-Fi zones in the world at an altitude of 4,120 meters above sea-level, he said.

The devices have been designed with lightening protectors which can withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 deg C and heavy snow-storms.

The network will provide round the clock state-of-art internet connectivity to the thousands of tourists thronging the place for skiing and other sports enabling them to be connected to the outside world, the spokesman added.