Kochi speeds on Wi-Fi hotspots

KOCHI: The city corporation, in association with BSNL and Quadgen Wireless Solutions,  has launched free Wi-Fi hotspots at 10 locations in the city.

The project announced by the civic body in January  was expected to be inaugurated on April 1. The Wi-Fi was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Digital India inauguration held in New Delhi on July 1

At a function held here on Friday, Mr Tony Chammany,  mayor,  Ms B. Bhadra,  deputy mayor  and  Mr G. Muraleedharan, principal general manager, BSNL,  Ernakulam,  jointly launched the Wi-Fi recharge coupon.  

The 10 Wi-Fi locations such as city corporation office, Subhash Park, Marine Drive, district court complex, High Court, Durbar Hall Road, Edappally junction,  Kaloor bus stand, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi are active now. Customers can access Wi-Fi network online or through physical recharge coupons.

To use the service, a user needs an authentication password, which will be sent to the mobile number after registering on the network.

“The usage time will be limited to 30 minutes per day for a maximum of three occasions which can be later extended  based on the usage. “With a speed of up to 10 mbps, a user will have connectivity within the coverage area,” said BSNL officials. BSNL has also launched four paid plans which can be accessed through recharge coupons.

The civic body has no financial commitment for the project.  The mayor said Kochi is the first municipal corporation in the country which provides free Wi-Fi facility to the citizens.

“Also, no other city has such a wide coverage of free Wi-Fi,” he added.