Google to set up free wireless network at 100 railway stations soon

by news
December 17, 2015

New Delhi: Commuting by trains is going to be fun, as daily commuters waiting at the station to catch their respective trains are soon going to be able to use high speed internet and possibly make their wait less tedious.

Internet search giant Google announced on Wednesday free WiFi being set up across 400 railway stations will be “highly reliable and hi-speed” with speeds higher than what an average internet user gets.

The network is being set up by Google in partnership with the Railways’ telecom wing, RailTel and Mumbai Central will be the first station to get the facility.

According to media reports, Marian Croak, vice president, access strategy and emerging markets has said that the free Wi-Fi will work on the back of fiber already deployed by RailTel and will provide station wide access instead of closing it down to a particular point

The company also hinted there would be no paywalls for the WiFi — the usual practice for free web networks in airports around the country.

“The first hour will be free and then we will limit the speeds so as to give fair access to other passengers,” said Gulzar Azad, head of access programs in India.

Marion also clarified that Google will continue improving back-end infrastructure like adding more access points as the traffic on stations increase.

Although Google has not revealed the names of the stations that will follow Mumbai central, it said it was targeting the busiest stations from each of the sixteen zones in the country.