BSNL rolls out wi-fi service at Hampi

HUBBALLI: Henceforth, tourists at Hampi will find it easier to upload pictures to social networking websites or transfer them via WhatsApp.
State-run telecom operator BSNL on Saturday launched its wi-fi service at the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi.
The 512 kbps internet service will be available around 150-m radius of the temple, said P Nagaraju, general manager, BSNL, Karnataka Circle."… it (the speed) also can be increased based on response from users," he said.
The BSNL launched the service by organizing a contest for tourists. Participants were required to take photographs and send them to BSNL via email.
The contest was simultaneously conducted at the %Virupaksha Temple and %1MG Road, a shopping mall% in Bengaluru.
Nagaraju told STOI that 34 smartphone users in Bengaluru and four in Hampi took part in the contest. "The result will be announced soon," said Nagaraju. Digital India pitch
The official said that the wi-fi service at Hampi has been launched as part of the "Digital India" initiative. "In Ballari district, under which Hampi falls, we are technically ready to provide wi-fi facility at 67 gram panchayats. Once the gram panchayats make preparations from their end, it will be available for the public. We will equip all 255 GPs in Ballari district in the coming days," he said.
NC Prakash Nayakand, deputy superintendent, Archaeological Survey of India, Hampi sub-circle, said that the wi-fi service will not be a threat to monuments.
"It will help attract more tourists. We have requested BSNL to expand its wi-fi service at other places like the Vijay Vittal temple, the Achyutrao temple, Lotus Mahal and the ASI museum in Kamalapur," he said.