Re: "Free" WiFi in Delhi

I support Kingsly's points because they are realistic and earthy.

There's a lot happening here, and a war about to break out with
unlikely alliances springing up, and everyone keeping their cards
close to the chest and spreading disinformation.

Today when a user can purchase 1GB of mobile data at $1valid for 60
days, I really question why any govt would offer "free wifi" with a
piddling 15 minutes or 30MB of data  as Nikhil Pahwa proposed, unless
it was eyewash or with some ulterior motive. In simple terms AAP
"bought" votes from credulous voters at 50 cents per year. In Tamil
Nadu it would take a laptop or a color TV set.

http://www.medianama.com/2015/02/223-aap-delhi-wifi/

BTW, if this is the monopolistic model AAP proposes to accept, and
since I can't find anything different from Nikhil Pahwa in Medianama
subsequent to this article,  I wonder how ethical it is a) for GoNCTD
to hold consultations? b) for Nikhil to be a part of the task force ?

The silence is deafening.

Sarbajit

On 4/26/15, Kingsly John <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi
>
> +++ ken [2015-04-26 11:11:24]:
>
>> My initial take on your explanation is to point out that it is unlikely
>> that any 4G network will be deployed should this free WiFi network be
>> implemented. No business model which is dependent of extremely costly
>> spectrum and equipment is likely to withstand a competitor who provides a
>> similar service for free.
>
> The WiFi network is not going to be free for unlimited access. Similar
> govt.
> run networks in India are just for political grandstanding have ridiculous
> limits on usage which make them mostly useless. In Bangalore the limit is 3
> hours/day or 50MB. (http://wifi.dvois.com/ ) And the two times I've tried
> to
> access the network, it wouldn't even work.
>
> It's hard to imagine someone rich enough to own a smartphone who cannot
> afford to buy a 2G/3G data pack for that 50MB and get reliable  24x7
> connectivity and faster speeds.
>
> Considering the kind of backlash/pushback from COAI over their imagined
> losses from net neutrality, they wouldn't sit quietly by while their entire
> business is taken away from them.
>
> Reliance Jio's LTE network will run on 20Mhz of spectrum in the 2300Mhz
> band.
> So it would benefit benefit them immensely if they win this WiFi contract,
> so
> they can install their 4G antennas in places where telcos would normally
> not
> be allowed to.
>
> They faced opposition in Mumbai when they tried to place the tower in a
> park.(Though they have been allowed to place them in other parks/grounds
> etc.)
>
> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/BMC-asks-firm-to-shift-cell-tower-from-Bandra-kids-park/articleshow/46161265.cms
>
> But if they land this contract in Delhi, they could get a lot more freedom
> in
> terms of tower placements.
>
>> Of course - but not half as much as delaying this network when the real
>> cost to a generation of students is factored in. Please don't
>> misunderstand
>> me, I loath corruption and support your efforts - only up to the point
>> where you deny the people of Delhi free connectivity for even a day.
>
> I'd rather not have a badly run citywide wifi network owned by the govt.,
> or
> an Ambani owned "freemium" wifi, making it impossible for others to
> build/operate a better network.
>
> Kingsly
>
> --
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>      Kingsly At Users Dot SourceForge Dot Net  -- http://kingsly.org/
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>