Delhi to get full wi- fi connectivity in 2 years
The AAP government will provide full wi- fi coverage in two years by setting up about 700 hotspots by February next year in the national capital.
Parliamentary secretary to the city’s IT minister Adarsh Shastri said the budgetary allocation for the wi- fi services would be done in June and tenders for these services would be issued by July. “The first phase comprising 600- 700 wi- fi hotspots will be rolled by February 2016. The wi- fi coverage in entire Delhi will be done in two years.”
The ruling AAP had promised free wi- fi service in the city during its Assembly election campaigning. But the industry players have been questioning the business model adopted by the city administration for the sustainability of wi- fi operations in Delhi.
Mr Shastri said that the city administration had various programmes that need Internet connectivity for which the state government would pay. “There are a number of sites of Delhi govern- ment where telecom companies can install their equipment and in lieu provide free access to public.” Mr Shastri said: “If the government sites are given out for advertisements, it will fetch government revenue to the tune of ` 20 crore per month.”
Mr Shastri said that by bringing various services online and giving people opportunity to access them would reduce efficiency as well as curb corruption. “In terms of revenue, sky is the limit. Give them free wi- fi till the time it is limited to basic services.”