Growth in media and communication has brought the world closer and helped people explore the untouched territories. In a world loaded with smartphones, per capita data consumption is shooting up. Every user wants to be in constant touch with the online world, be it to brush up with the latest happenings or to post his/her latest updates.
Courtesy of free WiFi, now locals and tourists can enjoy the spiritual aura on Varanasi ghats while posting all their latest pictures taken at earliest from their smartphones. Until now famous for its holy feeling, saints and seers, the city of Varanasi would become the first place in state to be enabled with free Wifi hotspots. For now, this free WiFi facility will be available on the ghats of Dashashwamedh and Shitla ghats. This launch comes after the news about BSNL planning to install free WiFi zones in about 2,500 cities and towns.
Telecom minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad, inaugurated free WiFi zones on Sunday (8th February). This service will be provided by BSNL, a government owned company. Mr. Prasad also announced a INR 100cr. plan to further extend internet connectivity in the district.
BSNL would be providing free WiFi to a particular user for 30 minutes per day, but the utilization of this quota can be done in multiple sessions. After utilizing the this limit of 30 minutes, users can continue the service by paying for the subscription plans. These plans read in denomination of INR 20, 30, 50 and 70 enabling the validity of the WiFi for another 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes and one day respectively.
There are plans to extend coverage of this WiFi facility to other ghats like Rajendra Prasad ghat, Man Mandir ghat, etc. by the end of this month. More plans like extending BSNL reach in the district and laying optical-fibre network covering the gram panchayats of Varanasi district were declared by the officials.
With all the telecom service providers in the industry trying to expand its reach by offering custom made plans, BSNL or to say Government of India, have taken an unconventional step towards the same. With intentions of gaining popularity, this plan also aims at boost tourism and help the local audience to benefit from internet coverage. With that said, one should not be surprised to see other such plans focused in Agra (for Taj Mahal), Lucknow, etc. coming soon.