Fiber is Must for 5G - What Operators are Doing?

As the wireless telecom market went into consolidation for last 5-7 years, we can see only 4 operators in the market, i.e. Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea and BSNL (MTNL-BSNL merger is announced two days back).

Frankly speaking Jio is ahead of all, thanks to its backhaul assests which will also fuel its broadband dream as well as upcoming 5G venture in long run. 

Jio's tower arm, as it was spun off from main company as Jio Infratel in March 2019, is announced to be acquired by Canada's Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. and its affiliates in multiphases. With 45000 towers from Reliance Communications, and another 125000 towers made by Jio itself, the total number of Jio towers reaches 1,70,000; which mades Jio Infratel as largest tower company beating Indus Towers. However 25% of them are monopoles.  (India's tower companies in detail )

Bata Shoe Stores Offer Free WiFi to its Customers

Offering wifi to the customers is not new to attract more crowd. But earlier it was done mostly by restaurants and cafes.

On my recent visit to Bangalore, I found every a Bata store (sells shoes mainly) is offering free Wifi to its customers.

I found this one, near Forum Mall. I didn't use it, so can't review it.

BiswaBangla Net - Another free WiFi Zone at Kolkata

Last week I had an visit at Charnock Hospital, near Haldiram- VIP Road. One of close person was operated for TURP, and as schedule was after 10pm, I reached there around 11:40pm. While waiting outside the OT Complex, I found that there is a open WiFi network around. 

I can't remember when WiFi on the strech of Biswa Bangla Sarani was announced (probably in the winter of 2014-15), however after trying Tata Docomo, Ozone and RJio's WiFi I once found it's a free internet (for 30minutes, though) zone (of Kolkata) I got interested to check that out. 

** In June 2014 HIDCO announced this WiFi services across the 10.5 Km stretched Major Arterial Road connecting Airport to Saltlake sector V. The road is also announced as green corridor where no billboard is allowed. There is a plan to extend Wifi services on another 6 Km to Chigrighata crossing on EM Bypass. In January 2015 the services become open for public use. **

'BiswaBanglaNet' is the name of Wifi network, detected by my phone. It's an open network - but to access internet you need to log in (web log in).

• It offers 30 min of free usage
• User registration is same as Ozone/Tata Docomo/Jionet - you give your mobile no, receive a text from DZ-BBSNET with username (your mobile no) and password. On the log in page, you can the see counter of 30 minutes.

WiFi Based ISP at Barrackpore

Location : Barrackpore

SPEEDNET - open wifi network. (https://speednetkolkata.com/)

5 such networks found - PANPARA, WIRELESS PARA, SECTOR 1, SECTOR 3 (equipment company is Ubiquiti Networks), RUIYA (by Routerboard.com).
* Earlier all of them were detected as 'Meghbela Broadband'

DIGINET 5G - one network, euipment from Ubiquiti.

WISHNET wifi (at Atindra Cinema?) - single network. Once found, later it's not found.

Website: https://wishnet.in/

** Though these are open, here authentication is done with your device's MAC address. So unless you're subscribed to them you can't connect to these networks.

** Recently people found 'Jionet' Wifi network (secured). It's Reliance Jio's Wifi service.

Update from future i.e. in 2025 Jio is offering AirFiber services using UBR technology - that's similar to WiFi over extended area. Initially Jio's fixed wireless access services, AirFiber was deployed over 5G but later shifted over home grown UBR technology using Mimosa's equipments. 

Also I found MoreWiFi (https://morewifi.in/) in Siliguri - that's also similar to Jio FWA. 

Karri Klub - Barrackpore's first Restaurant to offer Free WiFi & Ordering via Android App

KARRI KLUB is a unique restaurant in Barrackpore region, my home town. It's where first I was served sizzlers outside Kolkata. It's USP is multiple cuisines and thumbs up food quality. 

It is now offering free WiFi on its cafe zone - ADDA CAFE (the rooftop).