Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, July 16: The much-awaited Wi-Fi facility, a long cherished dream of residents of Bhubaneswar, would be a reality soon.
A trial run to provide the facility for the city will begin August 14, according to Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) director Manas Ranjan Panda. The trial-run for the project is expected to be completed by mid-September, he added.
A tender for Proof of Concept (PoC) has already been floated jointly by the state government and STPL, inviting private internet providers to build the required infrastrucre for the project.
Private telecom companies like Airtel and Vodafone are among the major telecom companies, which have come forward to provide Internet services to the public during the trial-run.
These companies have been allotted specific zones in the city to provide Wi-Fi to the public.
STPI would take the feedback from the people on the quality of services of each company.
Citizens could access Wi-Fi from their laptops, mobile phones, palm tops and other supporting electronic gadgets, once the project becomes fully operational, indicated state IT department officials. People could access Wi-Fi facility through 10-12 hotspots which will be set up in various key places in city soon.
A password will be provided to the users by the IT department which would monitor online activities of the users.
Users will be charged on the basis of their Internet usage.
Any illegal action or suspected anti-national activity committed by the users would be brought to the notice of the law enforcement officials.
Security and privacy issues have been accorded high priority and action would be taken against such users who violate the norms of the IT department.
IT department has prepared a set of guidelines in this matter, officials added.
STPI officials hope to complete the proposed project in a time-frame of three to four months, after receiving feedback from the public about the quality being offered by the private players who provide the facility.
Multinational giant Deloitte is the technology partner for the project. The firm has provided its expertise to prepare the detailed project report on installing Wi-Fi.