Re: "Free" WiFi in Delhi

Sir,

May I suggest that this would be the perfect opportunity to break 
through several barriers and move the poorest amongst you towards a 
better life.

1.) Remove all restrictions against VoIP and allow the WiFi network to 
carry free phone calls.

(This is now done by companies here such as Scratch Wireless.)
http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/16/scratch-wireless/

2.) Build this network using a public/private partnership model possibly 
based on an injected advertising revenue stream. Those who can afford to 
and choose to could pay a fee to have ad free connectivity.

3.) Build the network so that police/fire have a dedicated channel 
securely carried across the network's backbone allowing state of the art 
connectivity for their business and thereby reducing the cost to 
government and the taxpayer for the same.

4.) Allow paid service to utilize the service for security applications 
or location based advertising to also carry the cost of construction and 
maintenance. Taxi applications (similar to Uber) could also be a revenue 
generator for the network.

5.) Upgrade India's distance learning system to a two way service across 
this infrastructure.

None of this will happen unless those of us who care push the network to 
where we believe it must go. This is infrastructure, not a profit 
center. The people of India need this more than the multinational 
for-profit interests.

Of course, the alternative of doing nothing, effecting no change, and 
allowing the power that be to run rampant is always available.

Ken DiPietro
Cumberland MD



On 04/26/2015 01:58 PM, Ruchir T wrote:
> First 50Mb isn't bad for basic access and checking email. Service 
> quality metrics would be better - time to connect and locations 
> supported (metro/airports/busstands ?)
>
> Second, the pov that would help is obviously from members not on this 
> list - those dependent only on the free wifi for connection. I think a 
> significant number of people could benefit - simple surveys can 
> indicate the percentage and profile.
>
> Third, even though it is expensive for a govt to run such a service, 
> an argument can be made that this is infrastructure just
> like roads - which the govt builds, while the bus services that run on 
> top are private.
>
> Here's an article on FCC considering the same - 
> http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/02/04/1536631/four-benefits-fcc-public-wifi-proposal/
>
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 26, 2015 at 9:14 AM, Kingsly John 
> <[email protected] <mailto:[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
>
>     --
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