The final curtain comes down on the fair today -- organised by the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) at Osmani Memorial Hall.

Forty-four internet service providers (ISPs), solution providers and telecoms equipment vendors -- three from abroad -- exhibit their ware and current internet technology in 65 stalls.

Organisers said 80 percent of the visitors who flocked to the venue in the last three days were students of schools, colleges and universities, who came to update themselves on VoIP (voice over internet protocol), wireless network, broadband, e-mail and web design.

"The fair is a big effort to make people aware of the power of the internet and can be termed a milestone in Bangladesh's IT sector," an organiser said.

Azhar H Chowdhury, systems and software director of Grameen Cybernet Limited and convenor of the fair, said: "Internet for All -- the theme of the fair fits the technologically backward Bangladesh where only 1.5 lakh people have access to the internet."

"The gala event will not only be sales-oriented in promoting information technology (IT) but will also build awareness about the use of internet," said ISPAB President Akhtaruzzaman Manju.

Aftab IT, Agni Systems, Bangladesh Online, Bijoy Online, Grammen Cybernet, HRC Works and Proshika Computer came up with special offers along with other participants.

Three international companies such as SpeedCast, Globetek Infosis and Eyebill USA came to the fair with internet related software. "Our target is to attract the ISPs, so they can provide service to home users at low cost," said Nusrat Ali Ghansar, technical support engineer of SpeedCast, India.

Most ISPs exhibit latest IT products, services and brought down rates for visitors who come to get dialup connections home or broadband for office with low-priced packages on offer. "I was thinking of having a broadband connection home for 24 hours. I hope I will find one in the fair," said Ruma Rahman, a student of Dhaka University who browses websites of universities in the world for higher studies.

"I have a low budget and the fair has given me a chance to compare offers by different ISPs."

ISPAB President Manju said the fair lures customers with special offers and discounts. "We offer a special night cruise for only Tk 850. With this service people can use internet from 10:00pm to 8:00am," said Rasibul Muhit, an official of Proshika Computer Systems (PCS) Training.

Most ISPs participating in the fair also offer 10-20 percent discount on prepaid cards, dialup and broadband internet connections. RANKS-ITT Ltd offers a dialup network connection round the clock at Tk 1,500 including value added tax (VAT) a month.

"Home users like students are most interested to have this connection at home. Businesspeople out of the capital want to know about VOIP to run cyber cafés in their areas," said Jashim, radio engineer of RANKS.

SMS competition, free browsing, video conferencing and online chat are also organised for visitors, while ICT experts from home and abroad join seminars and symposiums on 'Poverty Elevation through ICT', 'Meet the challenge VOIP in Bangladesh', 'Satellite', 'E-Commerce'. Fair participants will offer gift and special promotional products to visitors, sponsored by GrameenPhone and Samsung.

Some publishing houses have stalls where books, magazines and other publications related to information and computer technology are available.

The fair, kicked off last Thursday, is open from 10:00am to 8:00pm with an entry fee of Tk 10 a person.