Free Wi-Fi  Soon under 11 Civic Corporations in Karnatak

Karnatak government is again putting in place a system to provide free Wi-Fi service in 11 municipal corporation limits and 2,500 gram panchayats.

soon commuters in all municipal corporations of the state, including Bengaluru, will be able to access free Wi-Fi at locations like bus stands, Metro stations, commercial streets and prominent government offices.

According to a report Minister for IT and BT Priyank Kharge said the government has directed all key public service departments like transport corporations (KSRTC/BMTC/BMRC) to individually provide Wi-Fi service to visitors at bus and Metro stations.

"The free facility will be available for 15-30 minutes. Users will get login and password details once they enter the Wi-Fi zones. The connection will be snapped once the time is over but people can pay to continue using the service," Kharge explained.

The government promised Wi-Fi connectivity in Bengaluru in 2014 but the project fizzled out. Earlier this year, it had announced that a seamless Wi-Fi facility would be provided in 198 wards under BBMP. "Issues regarding service providers, data security and infrastructure cropped up, and the project could not be taken up," said an official on condition of anonymity.

To encourage digitization and provide uninterrupted services in rural areas, the government is all set to provide free Wi-Fi facility in 2,500 gram panchayats in the next three years. About 500 panchayats will be covered in the first phase. The project is being implemented by the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (Keonics) along with BSNL. Chief minister Siddaramaiah set aside Rs 50 crore for the project through the viability gap funding method in the 2017-18 budget. "The issue will be discussed at the next cabinet meeting,'' Kharge said.

The government has been testing the WiFi facility at 11 gram panchayats in Mysuru, Gadag and Kalaburagi districts since November 2016, and the response has been positive. "We sought the IT department's help to extend the project to all GPs," said a senior rural development and panchayat raj department official. "Bapuji Kendras and e-governance kiosks at GPs have network problems. Wi-Fi connectivity is an effective channel to deliver as you can cover a whole gram panchayat office without a wire. It is cost-effective too," he added.