Nagpur: If the preliminary talks between Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) held on Saturday are any indication, there are strong chances of the city going fully Wi-Fi by the year end. Facilitated by city MP and Union minister for roads and transport Nitin Gadkari, a meeting of senior BSNL officials and the NMC was held on the subject.
A presentation was made by the BSNL showing the fast pace with which the telecom company is working in the city as part of the Digital India plan. Nagpur area of the BSNL is far ahead in the country. According to mayor Pravin Datke, who was present at the meeting, a final proposal from the BSNL is expected after which the NMC, BSNL and a third party may sign an agreement.
The NMC has already permitted cabling operations of Reliance Jio Infocomm. As part of that, NMC can allow BSNL to use the same ducts in which there is spare capacity available for optical fibres, said Datke. “Once we receive the proposal, we can finalize the deal,” said the mayor.
He said if BSNL seeks waiver of ducting charges, then the NMC may seek a revenue sharing with the telecom company. Additionally, 778 gram panchayats in the district will also get Internet connectivity.
