KOCHI:Finally, Kochi has been transformed into a WiFi-enabled city. BSNL, in association with Quadgen wireless and Kochi Corporation, has launched 24 x 7 WiFi service in ten locations in the city. With this, Kochi has become the first city in the country which provides maximum WiFi coverage.
Kochi Corporation office, Subhash Park, Marine Drive, District Court Complex, Durbar Hall Road, High Court, Kaloor Bus Stand, Edappally Junction, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi are the ten locations which offer WiFi access to the public. The network can be accessed within a radius of 300 metres.
The facility will be available free of cost for the first 30 minutes in a day for a maximum of three occasions in a month for the same mobile number. Apart from this, the customers will have to pay a fixed tariff rate for using the WiFi and it can be available through physical recharge coupons or through online recharge method.
A Rs 30 coupon has to be used for using 30 minutes. For Rs 50 recharge, one can use the facility for one hour. For two hours, the cost is Rs 90 and for the whole day the amount will go up to Rs 150.
“The new project will benefit hundreds of people who visit the city. The service will also be a benefit to the students as well. Soon, more hotspots will be installed in the main centres. The availability of internet network in public space is a part of the developmental activity,” said Mayor Tony Chammany while distributing the first coupon at a function here on Friday.
The official inauguration of the project was conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Digital India inauguration ceremony at New Delhi last Wednesday.
“Considering the reception of the project, it will be extended to other parts of the city. The coupon for using the WiFi will be also available in the retail shops. As the BSNL optical fibre cable is connected with the hotspot, it can provide good speed for downloads,” said G Muraleedharan, PGM, BSNL while presiding over the function. Deputy Mayor B Bhadra was also present.
How to Access WiFi
■ Switch on Wifi
■ Connect to QFI-BSNL SSID
■ Check for Connected Status
■ Open Browser
■ Get Directed to QFI portal
■ Enter the mobile number, email id and then submit
■ For accessing through e-voucher, select ‘paid login’ and click ‘new use’ and that will be redirected to payment gate way.
■ In all three cases OTP will be received and it should be entered on the browser to continue.
Contest
As part of promoting these WiFi hotspots, BSNL is also conducting a photography/video contest for the public.
The public has to take a photograph or video from the WiFi location and then have to post it to bsnlekmwifi@gmail.com with contact details. The entries should reach BSNL before Monday evening.
For details, contact 9446071842