Surfing the net through the wired networks is all set to change with Wireless Fidelity or Wi-Fi services entering India in a big way. Wi-Fi enables a person with wireless gadgets like laptops and personal digital assistants (PDAs) to connect to the Internet when in proximity of an "access point." The Wi-Fi craze has caught on. Laptops and PDAs are flying off the shelves, the standard 2.4 GHz band has been de-licensed by the government and almost all the major service providers are jumping on to the bandwagon.
"Basically, it gives me immense freedom when I am in transit," says Abhisheka Kumar, a Mumbai-based banking professional, checking his mails and sipping his favourite ice tea at a famous cafe chain's outlet that is Wi-Fi enabled, in New Delhi's Connaught Place. I have everything here, says Kumar, pointing to his laptop.
Wi-Fi is helping the service industries like hospitality, airlines & airports to give additional value added services to its customers. Special care is being taken to give a laptop-friendly environment for the wireless customers including comfortable seats, tables to accommodate the laptops and other services at 'hotspots' across the country.
As per Frost & Sullivan estimates there were 300 public 'hotspots' in India at the end of 2004, of which 80 percent were in Bangalore. According to some analysts this is set to cross the 1500 mark by the end of this year.
SourcePress Trust of India
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