Tata Docomo partners NDMC to offer public Wi-Fi in Connaught Place

Tata DOCOMO, the unified telecom brand of Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTL), has tied up with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), to launch 'Public Wi-Fi' in the Connaught Place (CP) area in New Delhi. The service will cover the inner and outer circles of CP, which is one of the most prominent business and leisure centres in the city.

"We are excited about our association with the NDMC on this initiative. Today, Wi-Fi is the new oxygen for the ever connected generation of smart device users. The deployment of Wi-Fi services in one of the biggest public open-areas in the city is a nod to the emerging trends of data consumption, especially by millennials," said N Srinath, MD, Tata Teleservices.

According to the company, millennials today spend an average of 7.2 hours per day consuming media content, with the maximum time being spent on mobile devices. Considering this, Wi-Fi hotspots at high footfall areas is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

How it works?

Citizens with any valid Indian mobile number will be able to access the public Wi-Fi by switching on Wi-Fi in their devices. On selecting the public Wi-Fi, a one-time password (OTP) will be sent to their mobile number. Once the password authentication process is completed, they can then latch on to the Wi-Fi and enjoy internet services.

Note that the service is 'free' only for the first 20 minutes, and those who wish to continue using the Wi-Fi will have to purchase recharge cards that are available online or at Tata Docomo retail outlets. As of now, the recharge cards are available at Rs 10 for 30 minutes, Rs 20 for an hour and Rs 50 for three hours of Wi-Fi access.

However, details on what the speed of the Wi-Fi connection will be is not currently available.

In March this year, the company had announced that it plans to set up close to 4,000 Wi-Fi hot spots in nine cities across the country over the next two years. It has already set up Wi-Fi hotspots in a number of airports (Delhi and Hyderabad), restaurants, and cafes (Starbuck outlets), among others.

Last month, the Telangana government in partnership with telecom operator Airtel had launched the state's first 'Public Wi-Fi' in the city of Hyderabad. In line with the government's agenda of making Hyderabad a 'global smart city', the service had been piloted in 17 prominent locations within the city.

In April 2013, Indian Railways had rolled out free Wi-Fi services on New Delhi- Howrah Rajdhani Express. To facilitate the same, the railways partnered with Mumbai based-Techno Sat Comm (India) Pvt Ltd. Other places where free Wi-Fi services are being offered by the government include New Delhi railway station, Bangalore Metro, Khan Market and Connaught Place. Free Wi-Fi is also already available in several Indian airports.