Google will provide Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity at more than 400 railway stations across India

Google Fiber, the ambitious project that provides lightning fast broadband internet across the US will now expand to Indian cities. According to a report by TelecomTalk, Telangana State’s IT minister K T Ramarao has signed an agreement with Google for setting up a facility in Hyderabad. [caption id=“attachment_281063” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: TelecomTalk[/caption] The report points out that Google has ambitious plans for India and is in the process of setting up a nationwide network of Wi-Fi hotspots across key Railway stations and Junctions to provide seamless connectivity to passengers making their way across the labyrinthine rail network across the length and breadth of the country. According to an unnamed source close to TelecomTalk, the Indian Railways has undertaken a pilot project in combination with Google under the code name of ‘Project Nilgiri’. Under phase 1, the company will be setting up Wi-Fi hotspots at approximately 400 stations across India over a span of 4 months. This connection will be made free for passengers after a mobile number verification where a one-time password will be sent via SMS. The speed received by commuters for the first 30 minutes will be at a high speed and later, will be reduced down. However, the connectivity will still continue for free to passengers. In addition, Google is working with Railtel, a PSU having a Pan India Optic fiber network running along railway tracks in rural and urban regions covering 70 percent of India’s population. As of today, Indian railways provides Wi-Fi connectivity in moving trains in select routes such as the Rajdhani Express using satellite communication technology.