State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) will set up at least 40,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across 20 circles, other than Delhi and Mumbai, for which it has earmarked Rs 6,000 crore, said telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad while launching a wi-fi facility at Taj Mahal on Tuesday.
The telecom minister said a global tender for this project will be placed in July seeking private participation. “This project is likely to be completed by March 2018,” he said.
BSNL CMD Anupam Srivastava said this will help the state run telecom operator to take on private telcos that are rolling out 4G internet services.
“Our 3G reach is around 60% across 20 circles. By offering 40,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, we will be able to reach out to almost 85% of our total network with high-speed internet services,” said Srivastava.
The CMD also said BSNL will initially involve private players in the scheme. “After a year we will evaluate and if we find the project feasible, we will back up major part of this plan through our own resources,” he said.
BSNL has rolled out Wi-Fi services at Taj Mahal as part of the government’s plan to put Wi-Fi at major tourist places.
This year, BSNL will set up another 2,500 Wi-Fi hotspots at 250 locations at the cost of Rs 500 crore. BSNL CMD said of these, about 200 hotspots have already been set up.
BSNL will provide free Wi-Fi services for 30 minutes per 24 hours (three times a month) which visitors can utilise in multiple sessions. After the free usage limit of 30 minutes is exhausted, a customer can pay for using the services. Subscription plans are available in the denomination of Rs 20, Rs 30, Rs 50, and Rs 70, valid for 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes and one day, respectively.
BSNL has also planned to expand Wi-Fi coverage to other tourist and religious locations like Khajuraho and Jagannath puri by March 2016.
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