Public Wi-Fi facilities are on rise, security threats to surge

With the government initiative to launch public Wi-Fi in 2,500 cities and towns across the country in a span of three years, using the networks of BSNL, public Wi-Fi has assumed a larger role in India. Things gained a faster approach, with BSNL investing Rs. 7000 crore towards the purpose.

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In February 2014, Bihar, which was earlier known as one of the most backward states of India inaugurated its 20km free Wi-Fi zone on the stretch from NIT-Patna on Ashok Rajpath to Danapur, the longest across the globe. The state went a step ahead and has planned to offer free Wi-Fi at colleges within the state.

Free Wi-Fi facility is now integrated at various places of historic locations, with BSNL Wi-Fi announced at places like Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath temple, Konark temple, Jagannath temple, Bodh Gaya, Shore temple, Hampi, Khajurao and Thanjaur.

Delhi government is working on a municipal Wi-Fi plan of its own. Bharti Airtel recently joined with Uber to pay for their trips using Airtel Money. For the purpose, Uber vehicles will be outfitted with Airtel 4G connections, enabling the passengers to access 4G within Uber vehicles.

There are also several paid and unpaid plans to provide Wi-Fi at places like government buildings and other significant locations, which are primarily accessed by the public.

MTS India, the telecom brand of Sistema Shyam Teleservices is also planning to bank on WiFi to grab a pie of the upcoming data boom in the country. For MTS, data services remain a very important part of their growth strategy. At present their non-voice revenues account for nearly 47% of total earnings. Being a CDMA operator, MTS pushed its Wifi dongles Mblaze Ultra WiFi, later rebranded as Homespot Wifi to tap home users too.