STPI pegs Rs 190 Cr investment for Bhubaneshwar Wi-Fi project

STPI proposes five implementation models of the project including an annuity model; state govt will have to choose one

The proposal to make Bhubaneswar Wi-Fi would soon turn into reality as the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), the consultant for the project has submitted the detailed project report to the state government.

In the project report, STPI has made a projection of Rs 196 crore of capital and operational expenditure for providing over the air connectivity to the citizens.

STPI has proposed five models of implementation of the ambitious project including an annuity model out of which the state government will have to choose one model to implement it.

Officials said about 400 kilometers in the city will be brought under the Wi-Fi zone and the STPI is in the process of giving final touch to the request for proposal document.

" The RFP will be ready will in next few days and be will floated soon. The selected company will be paid about 30 per cent of the cost under the head of capital expenditure initially under the annuity model and the balance will be paid over a period of seven years ", said an official.

About Rs 96 crore will be incurred for the capex and Rs 100 crore for the operation expenses, he added.

Before the preparation of the project report STPI had created PoC(proof of concept) in about six strategic locations of the city. Leading players like Bharti Infratel, Airtel, Reliance Jio and Ortel have participated in the PoC.

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. The objective of providing Wi-Fi services includes providing public internet access, internet access for local businesses to spur economic development, internet access for public schools and internet access on public transportation. Sources said, STPI has studied the best practices implemented by the cities around world before finalizing the DPR.

Other cities having Wi-Fi connectivity are Patna having 20 km free Wi-Fi zone, Bangalore (Mahatma Gandhi Road and Brigade Road) and Connaught Place area of the national capital New Delhi. If implemented , Bhubnaeswar will be first city in country to be entirely Wi-Fi enabled, officials said.