BSNL to extend Wi-Fi internet facilities to 2,000 cities

Over 2,000 cities will soon have Wi-Fi internet available across their major markets and congregation hubs as BSNL expands its Wi-Fi services base in partnership with QuadGen Wireless.

The Wi-Fi service will come with a 15-minute of free usage post that users will be asked to select a plan that ranges from ₹30 for half an hour of usage to ₹200 for a month. The service is expected to deliver speeds up to 20 Mbps.

“On one hand, we have mobile networks that are completely clogged and on the other hand we have this enormous backhaul capacity lying idle with BSNL that can be used to offer high internet at low cost. The Wi-Fi service will allow not only BSNL customers to connect to the internet but anyone who has a smartphone,” CS Rao, Founder and Chairman, QuadGen, told BusinessLine .

QuadGen is also testing out mobile data offload using the same service, which will allow any BSNL customer to automatically switch to Wi-Fi when they enter a hotspot. This will not only ease up spectrum for BSNL but also offer reliable connectivity to users.

QuadGen, which recently received a Series A funding from venture capital firm IndusAge Partners, operates Wi-Fi networks in India and other geographies as an overlay operator in conjunction with major carriers.

In India, QuadGen has entered in an exclusive partnership with BSNL on a build, own, operate and revenue share basis for seven years.

The company has already setup 2,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across 104 cities for BSNL and with new fund infusion, expects to cross 2,000 towns in the next 2-3 years.

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