Airtel launches 'Public Wi-Fi' service in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Oct 10: Bharti Airtel and Telangana government on Friday launched 'Public Wi-Fi' here at 17 locations where users of smartphone, tablets and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices can connect to Internet across the hi-tech city.

Venkatesh Vijayraghavan, CEO, Bharti Airtel - Andhra Pradesh and Telangana - said here that people in the 17 locations can avail public Wi-Fi and enjoy Internet services of up to 750 MB per day per user.

Information Technology Minister, Telangana, K T Rama Rao said that currently the government is trying to rope in other service providers to engage them in offering similar services.

"This is just a beginning. We will come to a position where the entire city (Hyderabad) will be Wi-Fi enabled in about four months. Tendering process is going on. The entire 700 square kilometres of Hyderabad city will be covered under Wi-Fi soon," Telangana minister said in a press conference in Hyderabad.

Vijayraghavan said that optic fiber technology has been used for the service. Though the speed of Internet will be 40 mbps, the same will depend on number of users at that point of time, he said.

Airtel is in the process of working out tariff for the services and other modalities, the CEO added.

This initiative is a part of the government's broader agenda of allowing citizens to experience a host of web opportunities making Hyderabad a leading digital city, Rao said.

On an average, around 40,000 commuters, commercial establishments and visitors can benefit from the service.

Enabling public access to superior Wi-Fi technology across the city is at the heart of Telangana government's efforts to promote greater digital inclusion for the citizens, therefore making Hyderabad a 'Global Smart City', the minister said.

Users with any valid Indian mobile number can easily access the public Wi-Fi at all the 17 locations by switching 'Wi-Fi' on, on their devices.

On selecting the public Wi-Fi, a One-Time password (OTP) will be sent to their mobile number. They can then connect the Wi-Fi post authentication of the password and enjoy Internet services, Vijayraghavan added.

PTI