Most of the IT professionals who work in large organizations like TCS, Infosys, Wipro etc., in cities like Bangalore and Mumbai do spend a large amount of their time traveling on company buses from their home to offices and back. Average time spent on these buses range from 1 hour to 4 hours. Everyone has a way of killing this non-productive time – they either catch on their sleep or read books or spend time on their mobile devices playing games. Very few use internet on their devices, because even today mobile internet costs are quite prohibitive in India.
But what if you are provided free internet during your daily company bus travel? Yes, that’s what India’s 3rd largest software services firm Wipro is planning to do.
According to a ToI report, Wipro is in advanced talks with Sistema Shyam Teleservices (Company who offers MTS) to implement Wi-Fi data connectivity services on Wipro staff buses.
To start with, Wipro plans to install Wi-Fi hot spots on 100-odd company buses operating in Bangalore. According to the Wipro, they are doing it because according to them offering free internet access on employees’ Smartphones, Tablets and laptops can reduce unproductive hours spent during office commute.
Interestingly, the internet connectivity comes with a fine print – It can used by Wipro employees for office work only. That means access to social media platforms, Instant messengers and Youtube will not be available. Wipro wants internet connectivity to be used for official work, and see this as a way to increase productivity.
Will It Increase Productivity?
In my view, if Wipro plans only work related access, then I am not sure how many will even access it. Yes, one might send an odd email or work when there is emergency, but other than that, I do not see employees getting being too keen on doing work in the bus!
I have traveled by company bus for a short duration of 1 month in Mumbai and let me tell you for most of them sleeping was on top of their minds. In the morning that 1-1.5 hour sleep is quite refreshing. And while on the way back, no one wants to work, either reading a novel, listening to music or then playing games is a way to relax yourself after hard day’s work at office.
If Wipro really thinks, providing free internet access would increase productivity, I doubt.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this..
WiFi connectivity to increase productivity!! No thanks, I don’t think this will have too many adopters. As you realistically mentioned ,
people would love to just sit back and relax during their commute.
Allowing video browsing, online reading or just getting chatty through social platforms would be something any one would love to do during that travel to either home or work. If it’s available only for work then the HR team seriously needs to start thinking about its people
There are two possible situations where Company says ” Internet in busses is for Office work only” and it increases productivity is :
1) If Company is willing to pay OT for the time for using internet in busses :)
2) If Company willing to deduct the time spent on internet in buses from time spent in office :)
Just my two paisa :)
If you include the commute time in the working time, most of the employees would accept this proposition. It would give them more time on personal front, if they wish to..