CCP mulls over Wi-Fi hotspots in Panaji

Panaji: The Corporation of the city of Panaji is toying with the idea of setting up Wi-Fi hotspots in the core city area which will permit residents and users to access the internet within the city limits. Still in the initial stages, the proposal envisions setting up nine Wi-Fi hotspots around the city and CCP officials said that the cost of setting up and operating each Wi-Fi- hotspot will be approximately 3.40 lakh.
“The first step will be to setup a 4G Wi-Fi network connectivity in the entire CCP building. BSNL is implementing the project. A couple of other service providers have also come forward to offer Wi-Fi services in the city,” a CCP official said. “The cost will not be borne by the corporation.”
Confirming the proposal, mayor Surendra Furtado said that it was a pilot project and that nine zones would be identified around the main city business zone where Wi-Fi hotspots would be installed.
CCP is currently keen on launching the Wi-Fi service for free for residents, with corporate partners footing the bill.
Porvorim and Fatorda were the first to announce free 4G Wi-Fi services for residents in the state. CCP commissioner, Dipak Dessai, said that no proposal had come to him for approval but accepted that discussions were on with several potential service providers.