In a bid to spread Internet network in rural areas of Orissa, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has tied up with HCL to provide computers in villages on installment basis.

As per the deal, HCL will provide computer sets with an initial payment of over Rs 2,000 with the broadband connections. The customers have to pay the rest amount on a monthly installment basis.

"We have made this arrangement as most of the rural customers are not prepared to pay a huge amount to purchase computers," BSNL chief general manager (CGM), Orissa Telecom Circle, A N Ray said.

BSNL wanted to spread Internet connection in rural areas as there are less broadband customers there, he said.

Out of about 70,000 broadband users in Orissa so far, only 15 per cent of them are from the rural areas, Ray said.

In 2010-11, the public sector telecom company aimed at providing about 50,000 new connections as against the achievement of about 35,000 in 2009-10.

He said in remote areas, broadband services will be provided through Wi-Max services. Around 107 locations across the state have been identified for Wi-Max services, he added.

Wi-MAX is a telecom technology that provides wireless transmission of data to portable and fully mobile net access.

The CGM was here to inaugurate the Customer Service Centre (CSC) under project 'Smile'. From the CSC, all the services of BSNL will be available under one roof.