Kerala gears up for 2,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots, to offer free internet up to 300 MB

Kerala government is gearing up to set up Wi-Fi hotspots in 2,000 public places to offer free internet access as part of ambitious efforts to make the state digital-friendly. [caption id=“attachment_3902573” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reuters.[/caption] The hotspots, coming up in selected locations across the state, would digitally connect government offices, bus stops, parks, tourist destinations, courts and public seva kendras by providing free internet to the public. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said public can avail various e-governance and **m-governance services** without interruption through these public hotspots. Steps to identify service providers for the programme has begun, Vijayan said in a Facebook post. “The programme will be implemented by dividing the state into three zones. It is expected that the programme can be launched within seven months, if the tender procedures are completed,” he said. All websites and mobile applications under the state data centre can be used unlimited times by the public under the proposed hotspots scheme, the Chief Minister said. Around 300 MB free data would be available daily for availing other internet services, he added. Earlier this year, ahead of the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections the Maharashtra government had launched the ‘ **MumbaiWifi** ’ facility here with aim to empower people digitally. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had launched 500 Wi-Fi hotspots across Mumbai and said 1,200 spots would go live by 1 May.