After Google, Facebook wants to offer WiFi services at Indian railway stations

After Google, Facebook wants to now offer free WiFi services in Indian Railway stations. The company is planning to offer WiFi services across India, and is also focusing on expanding its service to villages. 

In conversation with Economic Times, RK Bahuguna, chairman of Indian Railways' communications arm RailTel stated, “Facebook India has approached us for the WiFi initiative. We will engage with the company for the expansion of our Internet access programme across railways stations to cover villages in the vicinity.” In addition, the company has also acquired bandwidth from BSNL for Express WiFi service under which it is planning to provide high speed internet across India.

Unlike Google, Facebook wants to offer internet to smaller rail stops, making it available to neighboring villages via additional access points as well. Bahuguna added, “Through this (Facebook) initiative, we will be able to offer data services up to a 10-km radius from a connected rail stop, which however can further be increased by up to 25 km via additional access points.”