What was perhaps the first Wifi network in a public space in the city — the one on M.G. Road — which was inaugurated in 2014, is not functioning. | Photo Credit: K_MURALI_KUMAR more-in The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) recently joined the bandwagon of government departments offering WiFi facilities to the public by announcing 400 free WiFi hotspots across the city. Its 2018-19 budget promises free Wi-Fi with assistance from the State government on major roads, BBMP offices and bus stands, in coordination with the IT and BT Department. While the IT Department is aiming at making WiFi available in 2,500 spots overall, the Palike initially will focus on providing space for 400 spots. “The towers are in erection mode. The project is likely to be launched by the end of March,” said an official from the IT and BT Department. BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad added, “The work will be outsourced to a private agency. BBMP will provide all the required facilities, including provision of space.” But will the BBMP’s plan meet success? A look at previous such announcements by various government bodies show that a majority remain only on paper. While connectivity has been set up in some places with few to make use of it, other plans of WiFi implementation in public spaces have failed to see the light of the day. TTMC WiFi only on paper The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) wanted to make WiFi available to its passengers on the move, putting in place free WiFi in 95 Vayu Vajra buses. The corporation hopes to expand the services to 200 AC buses operating in the city. The transport corporation had also announced that there would be WiFi connectivity in all the TTMCs. But though the service is available in some TTMCs on paper, not many appear to be making use of it. A BMTC official at the Banashankari TTMC said, “They gave WiFi connectivity here three years ago. But neither the staff nor passengers are using it. We don’t even know the password. Once in a while, someone comes and inspects the network, but that’s about it.” A BMTC employee in Shanthinagar bus station said, “We do not know the password or the procedure to use it. Anyway, none of us depend on it. These days data connection on mobile is inexpensive. We subscribe to a three-month plan, as we hardly get time to browse while on duty.” BMRCL plans yet to materialise Plans of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) to implement WiFi on its trains and stations is yet to take off. BMRCL officials confirmed that as on date, there is no internet connectivity in either metro stations or the trains. In 2013, the corporation had introduced free WiFi services on Train Set No. 9 operating between Baiyappanahalli and M.G. Road. While it was supposed to be expanded within three months, the plan is yet to materialise. A BMRCL official said, “We have to call for tenders. It will take time. As of now, there is no WiFi connectivity being provided.” M.G. Road Wifi not functional What was perhaps the first Wifi network in a public space in the city — the one on M.G. Road — which was inaugurated in 2014, is not functioning. Users who had logged in when the service was introduced said they are unable to locate the WiFi network any more. “I had made use of it a few times initially. However, it’s not working these days. Even back then, if several people logged in at once, the network would become slow. We all have been using our respective private connections,” said a shopkeeper on M.G. Road.

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