CM announces free Wi-Fi with 200 mbps in 3 months, 11,000 hotspots, 15GB download/month
Fulfilling its poll promise of free Wi-Fi services in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government will soon initiate process to provide free wireless internet facilities within three to four months.
Kejriwal said under the project, which will be executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, WiFi with 200 mbps internet speed will be available within 50 metre radius of the hotspot. Delhiites will get 15 gigabyte (GB) data every month.
“We keep our promises, I am happy to announce the Cabinet has passed proposal of free Wi-Fi. 11,000 hotspots will be set up across the national Capital,” said Kejriwal.
He said the Government has formulated the policy keeping youths’ requirement in mind. Bus shelters and residential areas will be primary areas and 4,000 hotspots will be set up at bus queue shelters.
Recalling a list of 2015 election manifesto where AAP listed 70 promises to Delhi, Kejriwal said, “One of the major election promises of our Government was to provide free Wi-Fi across Delhi. This is the first phase of this project.”
Along with Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain and administration officers, Kejriwal announced that this will be the largest free Wi-Fi project anywhere in the world.
“Once we complete the first phase, we will collate the learning from the experience and make provisions
for additional hotspots if necessary in the next phase,” the AAP national convener said.
When questioned about the spectrum strength, Kejriwal answered, “The minimum speed will be 200 mbps and up to 150-200 concurrent users per hotspot will be able to use the service.”
Interestingly, in the age of information warfare and high end internet services in context of net banking, online shopping, online study material, the Delhi Government is also ensuring safe surfing. “We will build all necessary safeguards to ensure there is no misuse,” Kejriwal said.
Explaining more the technical part of the project, Jain said, “The project is running on an opex model (operating expense) Service model. The entire capital investment in setting up the infrastructure will be made by the vendor. But the government will bear the operating cost of approximately Rs 100 crore per annum for providing 15 GB free Wi-Fi per month for all users.”
The 100 hotspots per Assembly constituency shall also be provided at various locations like big public parks, Mohalla Clinics etc as decided by the PWD Minister. In these locations, the hotspot shall be installed on poles or existing infrastructure as per requirement, the entire expenditure shall be in the scope of concessionaire.
Public Works Department (PWD) of the Delhi Government said the cost is based on the market rates obtained by the department and the estimated cost of Rs 99.50 crore is the rental payment for one year for providing free Wi-Fi to the citizens of Delhi at bus stops and identified public places of each Assembly Constituency.