News

Pune unwired

Intel Technology Pvt. Ltd. along with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Microsense launched the initiation of deployment of the “Unwire Pune” project, making Pune the first city in the country where a commercial meshed Wi-Fi and WiMax deployment has taken place. Through this initiative, PMC proposes to make Pune a ‘wireless city’ which will provide un-tethered fast network access to millions of users from the private, corporate and administrative sectors. The ceremony was inaugurated by union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar.

Intel India was selected as the chief technology and program management consultant by PMC in 2006 to architect the project; and it started Phase-1 deployments with Microsense. Microsense will be the network integrator and service provider and it will roll out the network and offer broadband wireless services.

Phase 1 the “Unwire Pune” project deployment targets providing wireless connectivity to an area of 20 sq kms, covering Deccan Gymkhana, Sambhaji Park, Aundh, Baner and Model Colony in the city. This first phase is likely to be completed in four to six months and the entire project of 250 sq km of PMC, will be rolled out in an evolutionary manner over the next 12 to 18 months. This is expected to result in round-the-clock seamless and ubiquitous Internet connectivity, available throughout the city. It took about one year for PMC along with Intel to workout the feasibility and survey report. To begin with the service will be offered at 256 Kbps for Rs 250 and eventually scaled up to 2 Mbps.

The vision of “Unwiring Pune” is to deliver an easy, seamless internet connectivity solution to citizens, businesses, municipalities and academic institutions. This Standard-based wireless communication network infrastructure (wireless broadband connectivity) can enable technologies is also expected to facilitate better education, healthcare, agricultural productivity and income for the city; while improving small business and e-government access.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Nitin Kareer, Commissioner of PMC said, “PMC is happy and proud to make Pune the first city in the country to be unwired. We have worked to identify the right technology option and partners, Intel and Microsense, to actualise the digital revolution in the city of Pune.”

“Intel believes that this endeavour of “Unwiring Pune” is a significant leap in making broadband ubiquitous connectivity, accessible to the common man. Demonstrating how technologies transform communities and people’s lives; this project will enable better education, healthcare, agricultural productivity and income; while improving small business and e-government access,” said R. Sivakumar, Managing Director, Intel (South Asia). He added, “We have been talking about taking computing to a billion people. To me this is a small yet a very critical step.”

S Kailasanathan, Managing Director, Microsense added, “This is a momentous occasion, a harbinger of how new wireless technologies can make possible significant changes to our country. This is also the first time that a city corporation is facilitating such a service. This project in spite of all the technological advancement cannot be a success unless the citizens and enterprises of Pune embrace and contribute.”

Aircell was initially the network integrator. Due to certain issues such as DoT clarification on spectrum policy Aircell decided to pull out from the project. This further delayed the overall deployment by 5 - 6 weeks. The overall project is expected to cost around 200 crores and one of the ways of revenue generation will be through advertising.

—Dominic K