THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will launch a project to provide Wi-Fi internet at all major public places in the state on a pilot basis by December.
IT principal secretary P.H. Kurian said that at least one Wi-Fi hotspot would be set up in every panchayat. The public will be able to access internet free of cost for ten to 15 minutes.
Usage beyond that would be chargeable. “We are in the process of identifying the busy public places. After evaluating the effectiveness and addressing any shortcomings or security issues, the scheme would be extended to more hotspots in a phased manner,” Mr. Kurian told DC.
A technical committee headed by Kerala State IT Mission director Mohammed Y. Safirulla has been constituted for the purpose.
It will look into the technical feasibility, security matters and architecture to be adopted. The project would be launched with the support of any internet service providers.
The other committee members are state Planning Board’s industry and infrastructure division chief N. R. Joy, police anti-piracy cell head Prateesh Kumar, Planning Board project financing cell director Gayatri Nair, Greater Cochin Development Authority chief engineer Kumara Das, representatives of Thiruvananthapuram and Calicut development authorities, local self-government department, transport commissionerate and KSEB.
