I initially read about it in a New Indian Express report, whose excerpts we give below. I could not believe it. But then I googled the net and found some links which make the above mentioned New Indian Express report believable.

The public sector telecom major rolled out evolution data optimised (EVDO) card to provide wireless broadband Internet with speeds up to 2.4 Mbps along with the network interface card (NIC) with 144 Kbps speed. Built in the plug to surf form, the cards can be attached to the USB port or PCIMCI slot of the desktops or laptops to access Internet.

The cards would provide unlimited Internet access with fixed charges of Rs 250 a month and can be purchased outright or acquired on a monthly rental basis.

Based on CDMA-2000 technology platform, the EVDO card would be immediately available in Bhubaneswar and its outskirts like Khurda but the NIC card can be used anywhere. Three EVDO base transmission system (BTS) systems have been commissioned and 10 more are underway. Thirty more are to be added this financial year enabling expansion to other cities, Chief General Manager, Orissa, SM Talwar said.

… Speaking to media persons, Talwar said BSNL had gone on an overdrive to increase its presence in mobile and Internet, particularly broadband, sector in Orissa. … Broadband penetration, which has been a sore point for the company, is set to look up too. Launched in 2005, the broadband capacity in the State is a mere 15,500 and connections given are around 14,350. But, infrastructure is being spruced up on a war-footing with around 70,000 ports installed across the State. Broadband facilities would be made available in all telecom districts and sub-divisional headquarters, Talwar added.

Business Standard has some more details on this. Following is a short excerpt.

The customers can have unlimited internet access through NIC/EVDO cards at additional fixed monthly charges of Rs 250 only. The consumers have the option of direct purchase or monthly fixed charge basis.

While the monthly fixed charge for NIC card has been fixed at Rs 150 per month it is Rs 200 for EVDO card. The direct purchase of NIC card costs about Rs 4,500 and EVDO card costs about Rs 6,500.