Kejriwal govt finalises its model for free public Wi-Fi

New Delhi: Inching closer to its key poll promise, the Aam Aadmi Party government has finalised the wireless internet hotspot model to provide free Wi-Fi in all residential areas and public places in the capital. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday gave a go-ahead to the wireless internet hotspot model due to its cost and other benefits compared to other two models, including fibre cable and internet vouchers. Mr Kejriwal gave the green signal to the project to the public works department in a high-level meeting in which advantages and disadvantages of the three models were discussed. Though fibre cable offers the highest internet speed, it comes with limitations like the internet voucher model.

Since it will be a free service, a large number of users are expected with the data traffic also likely to be huge. “According to the conclusions, the hotspot model turned out to be the best among the three,” said sources.

Additional chief secretary (PWD) Manoj Parida suggested that the Wi-Fi project be given to the IT department because PWD doesn’t have expertise in IT work. However, Mr Kejriwal overruled it and asked PWD to execute the ambitious project.

Free WiFi in the national capital was a key poll promise of the AAP during the 2015 Assembly elections. The government reportedly is now putting all its flagship projects on fast track.