DELHI: The AAP has starting efforts to spread free WiFi in the capital. The free WiFI promise had drawn strong criticism from the AAP’s political opponents, with many claiming that the promises had made many youngsters vote for the broom party.
The Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC), formed to implement the AAP’s 70-point agenda, has started deliberations on it.
Participants have been asked to suggest case studies on public WiFi in other parts of the world and what the ‘ideal’ level of access to public WiFi will be.
The DDC has raised many technical questions on viability of the project. These questions include: “Can it be made available right up to your doorstep? If yes, what are the feasibility and technological challenges? Should it be made available at well-defined public spaces in every neighbourhood? What are the infrastructure and technology required to create a public WiFi network? Can a public network be made financially sustainable if viewed from the welfare service perspective alone?
A statement from the AAP government stated that India has the slowest and most expensive internet connectivity in the world.
“Delhi has a unique opportunity to change this by becoming the first city to have universal internet access over high-speed WiFi, so that all citizens of Delhi, especially those who are socially or economically disadvantaged, can get access to knowledge,” the statement read.
WiFi objectives
Mobile par sarkar: All citizens will get access to government services via m-governance over WiFi. For instance, they will be able to check the status of their services and complaints, make appointments, give feedback and recommendations, pay bills and file taxes with ease.
Promote education: Public will be empowered and encouraged to explore, research, learn and interact with their peers from across the world; identify, research and develop new ideas and be better positioned in the job market. They will get access to global research directories, online education services and knowledge repositories and, even IIT lectures, on the internet.
Spur entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurs will be able to research and identify global demand, and create products and services from Delhi for targeting the globe, and make Delhi a technology and business hub.
Make Delhi a Traders’ hub: Allow traders in Delhi to sell their goods across India as well as globally, by allowing they access to e-commerce marketplaces.
Promote tourism: Free and universal access to WiFi can turn Delhi into a tourism hub. A tourist in Delhi should be able to get information on anything around him or her, at any point in time, by simply switching on their devices.
Women Empowerment: A woman in Delhi should be able to use internet to find gainful employment or education or entrepreneurship for herself.
