The Arunachal Pradesh government is contemplating to provide free Wi-Fi hotspots at all important public places in the state capital from Chimpu in Itanagar to Kankar Nallah in Naharlagun.

Chief Minister Kalikho Pul hoped Internet connectivity would benefit the students most as there were a number of reference books, online help centres and experts’ views available, which can make the learning process easy, an official release said here today.

It would also help local business and farmers who could use Internet to understand the market and predict weather trends in a better way. The measure would be in line with the Prime Minister’s ambitious Digital India programme that aims at boosting Internet connectivity across the country.

The Department of Information Technology would implement the service in select public places. The bandwidth service for the Wi-FI hotspots would be provided by the state-owned BSNL or some other private service provider. A hotspot is a place that would offer Internet access over a Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) through an Internet service provider using Wi-Fi technology.

Public Wi-Fi hotspots would allow people to get free access to Internet on their smartphones, tablets, laptops and other mobile devices, the release said. With the setting up of Wi-Fi hotspots in the twin city, the benefits of having a free and public wireless zone would be intrinsic to all mode of operation and would bridge the digital divide and send a signal that the town was informed, forward-thinking and ready to welcome positive change, the release added.

Also read : Free public wi-fi service launched at 10 railway stations across India

Digital India is a campaign launched by the Government of India to ensure that Government services are made available to citizens electronically by improving online infrastructure and by increasing Internet connectivity or by making the country digitally empowered in the field of technology.

It was launched on 1 July 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative includes plans to connect rural areas with high-speed internet networks.