Mobile consumers across telecom players will be able to access WiFi services on their smartphones from hotspots being set up by state-run telecom player BSNL.
BSNL is the first telecom player to offer such a service as it looks to generate additional revenue streams apart from the mobile business, which is feeling the heat because of aggressive competition triggered by the entry of new player Reliance Jio.
Currently, 25,000 such hotspots are available for use across the country, a senior BSNL official told DNA Money. The company plans to set up 100,000 WiFi hotspots.
Under the BSNL WiFi service, any user from any mobile player can access high speed data -- initial 30 minutes free and then through WiFi recharge Coupons). There are options of free WiFi and premium WiFi for users.
Even the broadband users of BSNL can access these services on their mobile handsets, and the target is to tap users in Tier I, II and III cities, the official said. The coupon rates start from as low as Rs 10 with one-day validity and goes up to Rs 1,999 with 28 days’ validity.
For accessing WiFi on devices other than mobile handsets, users can download BSNL WiFi app through Google Playstore, App Store for Apple, etc.
The government is executing a project BharatNet to connect rural hinterland. It will connect 2.5 lakh gram panchayats by March this year (over 1.5 lakh GPs have already been connected through optical fibre in the first phase).
Telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan had told DNA Money in a recent interview that the plan is to set up 1.25 million WiFi hotspots by June next year, another 1 million in next 2 years and total 10 million in India by 2022.
“Public WiFi will be a key element in the whole strategy of providing broadband access to all. The proliferation will improve the quality and is the most efficient way of providing internet in dense areas,” she had said.
DATA ON MOVE
- BSNL is the first telecom player to offer such a service as it looks to generate additional revenue streams apart from the mobile business
- Any user from any mobile player can access high speed data -- initial 30 minutes free and then through WiFi recharge Coupons
