TS Govt Issues Orders on Wi-Fi Hotspots
Hyderabad, March.2 : The Government of Telangana has identified the implementation of free Wi-Fi services as a key reform priority in the field of Information Communication Technology (ICT) across the State and as an initiative a pilot project was already launched at Necklace Road around Hussain Sagar.
The prime objectives and goals of the Government are (a) To provide Free Wi-Fi services to all the citizens, tourists and visitors.
To make Wi-Fi (free internet access) network available to all the citizens, and mobile network facilitating faster and convenient information searches, and social use of Internet to keep pace with today’s knowledge societies and To bridge the Digital Divide
The State Government has today issued the following orders enabling the intended Service Providers for easier and smoother installation and maintenance of Wi-Fi Hotspots.
The service providers shall be liable to pay the charges for underground (ROW and restoration) fibre cable laying at the following rates: CC Roads Rs.600 per mtr; BT Roads Rs.600 per mtr; Footpath Rs.300 per mtr; Berm/WB, Free of cost
Aerial cabling shall be permitted in a systematic manner without obstructing pedestrians or vehicular traffic in areas where underground cabling is not feasible. In locations where cable ducts are already available, which includes ORR, service providers have to necessarily use the available infrastructure.
A rent of INR 500/- per month per pole, which is payable by the Service Provider(s), which includes Right of Way (ROW) on overhead fibre and permission to use the pole for other wireless backhaul equipment shall be applicable. In case of no equipment installation on a pole, the Service Provider(s) shall be charged INR 50/- per month per pole.
Payment of electricity charges for access point basis to GHMC as fixed together by ITE&C Department, Energy Department and GHMC on mutually agreeable terms and conditions.
Permissions to Service Providers may be accorded for free use of the site location to set up Wi-Fi Hotspots at the Government-owned buildings like Courts, Hospitals & Educational institutions by the respective departments within Hyderabad city under a single window desk at GHMC for free access to all state-owned buildings and establishment for installing and maintaining Wi-Fi equipment at different locations. The service providers should provide free access to Wi-Fi for the building owning department.
Advertisement subsidy shall be provided in the form of free provision for installation of not more than two points of advertising in the radius of Wi-Fi hotspot operated by the Service Provider(s).The advertisement should be a co-branding model displaying logos of Government of Telangana, the site owner (i.e., GHMC, HMDA, etc., ) and the service provider(s). These should only be in the form of message boar and not advertisement hoardings.