PoCs for city Wi-Fi project by August

Airtel, Reliance Jio among five players to create PoCs

The Proof of Concepts (PoCs) will be operational by August 15 for public experience before roll out of the full fledged Wi-Fi operations in the city. Airtel, Bharti Infratel, Reliance Jio, Orange Softech and Ortel Communications have evinced interest for creation of PoCs in the city at the identified locations. The locations include Surya Nagar, Airport, Sahid Nagar, KIIT Square and Vani Vihar

Earlier , it was decided to create PoCs by July 15. Due to the ongoing Nabakalebara festival, the companies have been allowed an extension of one month. "As the state government officials are busy for the Nabakalebara festival, required clearances could not given to the companies for creation of the PoCs. At a meeting it was decided to give an extension of one month to the companies", said an official source.

It may be noted that Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), the implementing agency for Wi-Fi project, had invited Expression of Interest (EoI) for creation of PoC from interested operators at select clusters of the city and had awarded the contract.

The service provider would offer free internet services for 30 minutes per day to each user which can be accessed through mobile phones or laptops and handheld devices through Wi Fi. The experience and feedback would be taken into account while rolling out full-fledged Wi-Fi services. "The experience and feedback of users is vital for designing the final architecture of the project", the official added.

For creation of PoCs, the selected operators would be required to mount the access points on the poles or other convenient locations and buildings. Some locations would also need drawing power and laying of optic fibre cables. Whatever financial cost needed during the PoC study would be borne by the operators.

It may be noted that the state IT department had drawn up an ambitious plan to roll out Wi-Fi services at major locations in the capital city.