Telebucaramanga rolls out Wi-Fi hotspots

Colombian telco and ISP Telebucaramanga has rolled out public wireless internet hotspots in Bucaramanga, Floridablanca and Girón. The regional operator, which began installation of the Wi-Fi hotspots in June 2005, currently has 84 in operation, with plans to increase this number to 105 by year-end. Access to the hotspots is free to all users under an introductory offer, but the company plans to start charging for the broadband service in 2006. Telebucaramanga is 56%-owned by Colombia Telecom, and began a phased ADSL2+ network rollout in March 2005 to provide data, voice and video services for corporate and residential customers in the Bucaramanga region.