Free WiFi service by NDMC in Delhi, all you need to know

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is planning to provide free WiFi service in the entire area governed by the municipality in the next six months, said its chairperson Naresh Kumar on Tuesday.

While speaking at a programme marking four years of ‘NDMC Smart City Initiatives’, Naresh Kumar said that the council is planning to set up 625 ‘smart poles’ to provide internet connectivity. He said, “This free internet facility will be provided with the help of 625 smart poles and optical fibre technique. With the help of MTNL, we have created our own high speed high speed Fibre to Home (FTH) network in Connaught Place and now 29 more locations in the entire NDMC area will be connected with such network.”

“Currently free Wi-Fi service was being provided by the civic body only in Connaught Place and adjoining arteries since August 13, 2018,” he said.

He further stated that the work to create high speed Wi-Fi zones in the remaining area of the NDMC would be completed in next six months as the request for proposal (RFP) for installation of smart poles has already been floated and fibre network work is also going on.

The senior official also said that the stainless steel smart poles will be 12 metres in height and can host microcells for telecommunication and providing 2G/3G/4G services.

He said that these smart poles would have better aesthetics and also have the cabinets to facilitate telecom operators to place their equipment. “Free Wi-Fi will be provided for defined time periods to the registered users,” Kumar added.

It is to be noted that a similar WiFi service is functional in a 5-sq km area around the inner and outer circles of Connaught Place, including Central Park. The card, currently being given by a private firm, costs Rs 10 for 30 minutes, Rs 20 for 60 minutes, and Rs 50 for 180 minutes.  

It is to be noted that the NDMC governs 42.7 square km of the national capital that houses Parliament, Rastrapati Bhawan, the Prime Minister’s residence, diplomatic area Chanakyapuri, central ministries and luxury hotels.

RELATED