The Ministry of Information Technology and Bio-Technology (IT/BT) is on its way to provide free Wi-Fi services available to all districts of the state.

Karnataka is set to become the first state in the country with such facility.

S.R. Patil who is heading the Ministry has taken the initiative with an objective to make information technology closer to people for enabling them to become tech­savvy.

As per the plan, the government proposes to set up three Wi­Fi hotspots each, in all district headquarters of the State, making a total of 90 Hotspots.

In these hotspots, people could make use of free internet facility on their Wi­Fi enable mobile phones or laptops.

“Since Bengaluru needs more number of hotspots, we have planned to install some 110 hotspots across the capital in different locations for people to access the internet”, said Mr. Patil.

He told The Hindu that since smart phones have become too common with Wi­Fi facility, people can easily and for free access internet. The Ministry had first set-up hotspots in Bengaluru which was also extended to Bagalkot.

“Having seen the good response to this idea, the Ministry thought to extend this benefit to entire State by setting up of at least three hotspots in each district headquarter”, the Minister said.

He said that the government has earmarked Rs. 4.5 crore for the project which is under tender process.

Informing that many companies have bid for the tender, Mr. Patil said that soon, the tender would be allotted to a competent agency.

“Once the tender is allotted, we plan to have the entire project completed within a year. If that happens so, then Karnataka would be the first State in the country to have free Wi­Fi hotspots in each district of the State”, Mr. Patil claimed.

The Minister informed that at present, IT sector in Karnataka is giving employment to over 40 lakh people, the government wishes to increase to 80 lakh by 2020. “We are targeting the IT export to reach nearly 4 lakh crore in next five years”, the Minister said.