 "Work on Bhubaneswar Wi-Fi project by August end")
“Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) would use the technical feasibility inputs to finalise the DPR for the Bhubaneswar Wi-Fi project. After finalisation of the DPR, STPI will float RFP (Request for Proposal)”, IT minister Pranab Prakash Das said in a written statement to the state assembly.
The state government has earmarked Rs 15 crore for the city Wi-Fi project in the 2015-16 Budget.
Airtel, Bharti Infratel, Reliance Jio, Orange Softech and Ortel Communications have evinced interest for creation of PoCs at select locations in the city.
Earlier, STPI, the implementing agency for Wi-Fi project, had invited Expression of Interest (EoI) for creation of PoC from interested operators at select clusters of the city.
The service provider would offer free internet services for 30 minutes per day to each user which can be accessed through mobile phones or laptops and handheld devices through Wi Fi. The experience and feedback would be taken into account while rolling out full-fledged Wi-Fi services.
For creation of PoCs, the selected operators would be required to mount the access points on the poles or other convenient locations and buildings. Some locations would also need drawing power and laying of optic fibre cables. Whatever financial cost needed during the PoC study would be borne by the operators.