Taking another step to make Hyderabad the first WiFi enabled city in the country, the Telangana government on Thursday rolled out WiFi service on pilot basis around Hussain Sagar lake in the heart of the city.

 

 

 State-owned internet service provider BSNL and WiFi infrastructure provide Quadgen Wireless Solutions have come together for providing the service under Hyderabad WiFi project.

 

 Information Technology Minister K. Tarakarama Rao launched the service with a live video call with union IT and Telecommunications Minister Ravishankar Prasad.

 

 Under this initiative, citizens around the lake will be have access to internet with a speed of 10 mbps.

 

 A similar service was earlier rolled out in Hitec City, the IT hub here.

 

 Under Hyderabad WiFi project, citizens can avail free WiFi service for first half an hour and subsequently on a chargeable basis.

 

 Rao said Hyderabad WiFi project was uniquely positioned to enable the fastest WiFi Hot Spot using the readily available optic fibre cable network of around 4,000 km.

 

 The state government plans to provide WiFi services at over 2,000 locations in Hyderabad and about 50 Villages in the state in the first phase in next six months.

 

 Jayesh Ranjan, secretary, IT, said initiative is the precursor to make Hyderabad a smart city. With the WiFi project, the city will join the league of international cities like San Francisco, Barcelona and London.

 

 The government also plans to connect all major district headquarters the state with WiFi