Indian Railway have collaborated with the Google to launch a new project under the signed project Nilgiri. Under this project, it will deliver a free Wi-Fi access to around 400 railway stations across India.
For the fast internet access, Google will be using the Google Fiber project in order to provide free internet to the travelers. This will be helpful in making the train journey a lot more enjoyable.
Travelers will be able to use Wi-Fi only after the mobile number verification through a one-time password sent over SMS. In starting, a commuter will get high speed internet connectivity for the first 30 minutes and thereafter, the speed will drop down and become slow. The connection of the user will however still be active.
The project will be completed in phases. However, there is no official date announced by the Indian Railways as to when it will commence.
Google and Indian Railways will be planning to set up Wi-Fi hotspots across 400 railway stations throughout the nation over a span of 4 months from now in the first phase. And next in the second phase expansion, Google plans to provide Wi-Fi OnBoard moving trains Pan India using cutting edge technology.
In their latest attempt to digitize India, Google is working closely with Indian Railway with having a Pan India Optic fiber network running along railway tracks in rural and urban regions by covering 70% of India's Population.
Presently, Indian Railway provides free Wi-Fi connectivity in moving trains for the selective routes like Rajdhani Express using satellite communication technology.
Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Digital India' seems to be up in full swing with this initiative.