Wi-Fi data vouchers to be available soon at local shops
- Wi-Fi vouchers will offers access to Internet in public places.
- These vouchers will cost as low as Rs 10.
You may soon be able to buy Wi-Fi vouchers as easily as you buy recharge packs from small street shops. The government is developing a new technology solution that will allow these shops, and even handcart operators to sell these vouchers that will bring instant data access to users.Â
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According to The Economic Times report, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) has built a mass market 'public data office' (PDO) solution priced under Rs 50,000 to deliver low-cost Wi-Fi solutions. With a PDO device, a local shop can easily sell Wi-Fi data vouchers priced as low as Rs 10. Though there is no word on the upper limit of the price range.
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C-Dot, which is research and development centre owned by the government, will provide the service over license-free ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band. It includes Wi-Fi access, e-KYC and OTP authentication along with a voucher management system and a billing system, covering both hardware and software aspects.Â
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The report further explains that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has demanded some tweaks that could help free up some new spectrum bands to make Wi-Fi access possible. This will pave way Wi-Fi access in public places at affordable prices. It may also allow involvement of small entrepreneurs and aggregators.Â