Re: "Free" WiFi in Delhi

Sir,

Extremely high capacity wireless backhaul is relatively inexpensive and 
allows for exceptionally fast construction times. The entire Delhi area 
could be serviced with multigigabit upstream connectivity quickly and 
cheaply.

As to your assertion that 4G provides a "bigger pipe" this is not 
necessarily true. A WiFi network could be built which would supply 
significantly more capacity, if this is what is desired.

You are correct in pointing out that such a network would require a 
substantial amount of money to be built and ongoing funds to be operated 
and maintained. At the same time, the ability to sell WiFi phone service 
alone would more than cover the costs. Layer on revenue from paid apps, 
location based advertising, along with the savings realized from 
eliminating the cost for first responder communication as well as all 
government and school communications requirements) and the net savings 
to the public more than justify the network.

But this is just the beginning. In the very near future, automobiles 
will begin communicating allowing traffic management to become 
intelligent with the promise of reducing or even eliminating traffic 
jams. Add to that the real time collection of electricity meter readings 
to allow for better power management or actual scheduling of buses and 
trains based on location data being readily available and the promise of 
societal betterment due to a one time expenditure begins to look very 
attractive.

Ken DiPietro
Cumberland MD

On 04/27/2015 07:17 AM, Kiritkumar Lathia wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> I was really sad to notice that this e-mail thread and the previous 
> one as well were full of personal attacks, innuendos, etc. and 
> attempts to discredit persons rather than discussing issues.
>
> I think we all need to recognise the following truths:
>
> - there is no "free lunch":
>        - so in India, there will be lobbyist and they do play a role 
> in the society.
>        - the "free" wifi will not be free; there has to be some 
> revenue generation from somewhere (even government has to raise money 
> via tax); so a business model is required and regulatory oversight as 
> to who can use the infrastructure and provide what service; at the end 
> of the day someone pays be that be advertisers or whoever.
>
> - technically/politically I do not see "free wifi" in any licensed 
> bands, specially if it is off-the-shelf technology for wireless 
> interface which will needs to be 802.11n (?) since most devices 
> (laptops/smartphones/... ) the users will have will be using this standard
>
> - the issue then become that of totaltraffic and Delhi (most metros in 
> India) are highly densely populated and so you need either many 
> micro/pico cells or limit what user can have
>
> - the backhaul in delhi will be a problem; I do not see anybody 
> digging up roads to put in optical fibres for "free wifi" so that is 
> being used? The legacy copper cables? ie experiences of USA or other 
> countries will not help in India, specially Delhi which has its unique 
> challenges!
>
> - I do not believe 4G (LTE) roll out will be impacted by this "free 
> wifi". $G provides bigger pipe (and so more traffic capacity) and this 
> is needed in Delhi regardless of "free wifi". The mobile subscribers 
> will need more data throughputs and 4G does not necessarily require 
> new spectrum - it can operate on 2G/3G spectrum - the issue will be 
> regulatory/political and not technical.
>
> - Again, IMHO, there is lot of confusion about "net neutrality" and 
> "OTT" services (incl. OTT on "free wifi").
>
> May I hope that we would discuss issues rather than personalities and 
> how India is being hijacked by dark evil forces?
>
> Thanks and with best wishes,
> Kirit
>
> Per
>
>
>
> On 27 April 2015 at 08:31, Nikhil Pahwa <[email protected] 
> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
>
>     Udhay: that is correct. As far as I am concerned, that limit has
>     already been crossed. I don't need to defend myself, and I won't.
>     I have enough to deal with as it is, without random
>     unsubstantiated allegations being consistently hurled at me, and
>     my integrity being questioned. I will address a few points made,
>     though:
>
>     1. On the post: On the point about my writing that post on what
>     the model should be: it was written before I was asked to become a
>     part of the task force. The discussions on the task force are many
>     levels deeper, and there is nothing for me to write until a
>     decision is taken. I've also asked my team at medianama to write
>     independently, should they choose to, and they have the freedom to
>     criticise me or the committee's decisions. That's how we operate
>     at medianama.
>     2. On political affiliations: I'm not affiliated with the AAP, and
>     I prefer not to associate myself with any political party or
>     entity because I value the freedom I have to comment and
>     criticise, without any affiliation. I'm open to any government
>     that asks me to help formulate better policy, and I'll do my best.
>     3. On savetheinternet.in <http://savetheinternet.in>: Some of
>     those here might not agree with what we're doing with
>     savetheinternet.in <http://savetheinternet.in>, and that is fine.
>     We're doing what we can because of a point of view that we have.
>     We've created an abridged version of the TRAI paper, put up FAQs,
>     answered questions, participated in debates. We've educated
>     people, and created tools for participation. You may disagree with
>     the methods, the stand we've taken, who has been a part of it and
>     who hasn't, but don't get personal or hurl random accusations
>     without substantiation. If you're looking to find a conspiracy
>     theory in everything everyone does, you will find one, but it will
>     remain just a conspiracy theory when it comes to whatever I do,
>     because there is no ulterior motive.
>
>     I'm happy to learn from the discussions here, but I'm no longer
>     interested in adding to the discussions, and am going back into
>     lurker mode, which I have been in for many years. If there are any
>     more accusations and personal attacks, then I'm out. Some on this
>     list can hurl all the weird accusations they want. I'd prefer to
>     spend my energy moving forward and getting things done, rather
>     than keep defending and clarifying unsubstantiated (and
>     unsubstantiable) accusations.
>
>     Sarbajit,
>     in case you have any questions regarding the committee, its
>     members, its appointment or its functioning, please take it up
>     with the government when you attend the Dept of IT meetings. I
>     joined because they asked me to join.
>
>     On Mon, Apr 27, 2015 at 6:55 AM, Udhay Shankar N <[email protected]
>     <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
>
>         On Sun, Apr 26, 2015 at 10:56 PM, sarbajit roy
>         <[email protected]
>         <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
>
>             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.
>
>
>         ​ Although I cannot speak for the people you are attempting to
>         browbeat, I would suspect it is because of your hectoring and
>         accusatory tone that you're being lumped into the 'random
>         troll' bucket and being ignored.​
>         ​ As Suresh said earlier, this is in the "have you stopped
>         beating your wife?" category of question.​
>
>         ​ I would also point out that you're skating quite close to
>         the limits of what is an acceptable​ mode of interaction on
>         this list. A word to the wise.
>
>         Udhay, wearing the admin hat.
>
>         -- 
>
>         ((Udhay Shankar N)) ((udhay @pobox.com  <http://pobox.com>)) ((www.digeratus.com  <http://www.digeratus.com>))
>
>
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