Free WiFi has become a drug for the denizens of India, as internet has become the main attraction. Be it Delhi’s free WiFi offering by Paytm, or free WiFi in KSTRC buses, we all know that internet is the most important thing for our smartphones.
Because internet has become such a necessity, the Maharashtra Government has launched free WiFi for Mumbai residents at over 500 locations. Called MumbaiWiFi, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra has launched the world’s largest free WiFi facility in the capital city of Mumbai.
The first phase of this project involves 500 hotspots of WiFi, whereas the second phase intends to add 700 additional locations by 1st May, which is celebrated as Maharashtra Day. Various key locations of Mumbai, like offices of Mumbai Police Commissioner, Vidhan Bhavan, KalaNagar in Bandra, Bombay High Court and other prominent public places in the city and suburbs, will now have this free WiFi service.
“As committed, WiFi hotspots at 1,200 locations will be active by May 1, 2017. We will also monitor the progress on connectivity and speed,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. As the country moves towards the digital phase, it is important for the financial capital of India to have the supporting infrastructure.
A report by NDTV said, “During the trial period between January 2-8, around 23,000 users signed up in Mumbai and downloaded more than 2TB data, which Fadnavis termed as “a major aspect of digital empowerment in the state”.”
As with all free WiFi services, internet will be free for up to 30 minutes or 1GB. After this, people will have to pay very nominal rates and at par with those of other service providers. The Government will ensure that the prices are cheap for the common man.
“Feel free to share feedback/issues at #twitter handle @AS_Mum_WiFi,” said Fadnavis. You can check for the WiFi services closest to you on the website here. You can checkout an exhaustive list of locations with free WiFi hotspots.
The Government will also look at the costs of maintaining this service and the internet speeds at these locations. It is quite obvious that people will try to use this service for other means, which is why the Government will keep checking these internet services to optimize then for future.
From Chowpatty to slums, the Government has it covered at major locations. While Delhi is still waiting for free WiFi at major areas, Mumbai Government has already implemented it and is going to go larger in the next phase. Let’s see if Delhi Government is able to make it bigger, considering Delhiites have already waited for almost two years now.