Google, whose CEO is Indian-born, is going to roll out free public WiFi at 400 stations across India, bringing Internet access to the 10 million or so travelers that pass through them every day.
The initiative is set to be carried out in collaboration with Indian Railways and Indian broadband service provider Railtel. The idea is to bring the first few Indian train stations online in the next few months before rolling out the service to a hundred of the country's busier stations by the end of 2016, with the rest set to receive free public WiFi after.
Indian train stations are already part of the most connected networks in the world, the Indian Railways train network, but now Google is looking to make them connected in a different sort of way.
Indian Internet Initiatives
Google is Installing Free WiFi in 400 Indian Train Stations
Trend Themes
1. Free Public Wifi in India - The trend towards providing free public WiFi in India is an opportunity for businesses to develop new products or services that rely on widespread Internet access, such as mobile payment systems.
2. Internet Infrastructure in India - The trend towards increasing Internet infrastructure in India, such as the Google WiFi initiative in train stations, presents an opportunity for businesses involved in telecommunications or broadband services to expand or improve their offerings.
3. Collaboration Between Tech and Infrastructure in India - The trend towards collaboration between tech companies and infrastructure providers in India, such as the partnership between Google, Indian Railways, and Railtel, opens up opportunities for businesses involved in both industries to work together and create innovative solutions.
Industry Implications
1. Telecommunications - The expansion of Internet infrastructure in India creates opportunities for telecommunications companies to offer new services or improve existing ones, such as high-speed broadband or wireless data plans.
2. Transportation - The trend towards integrating technology into transportation infrastructure in India presents opportunities for businesses involved in transportation, logistics, or mobility services to create new solutions that leverage this connectivity.
3. Mobile Technology - The expansion of Internet access in India, particularly in public spaces, creates opportunities for businesses involved in mobile technology, such as developing apps or mobile payment systems, that can reach a wider audience.