Free WiFi in Marina Beach soon; hotspot poles to be erected

CHENNAI: Soon, visitors thronging Marina Beach to meet loved ones or fitness freaks resting between thier excercise schedule will be able to stream their favorite videos as the Greater Chennai Corporation is in talks with telecom firms to set up WiFi hotspots to provide free Internet.

A Chennai Corporation source said that Mayor R Priya, deputy mayor M Mahesh Kumar and Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi held a discussion with a telecom firm recently for creating WiFi hotspots.

"However, talks are in initial stages and hotspot poles will be erected on the Beach once payment and other details are worked out. Public will be allowed to use free Internet for a limited period of time every day," the source said.

Once the initiative is finalised and hotspot poles erected, public can use the service by inputting one time password.

Recently, the civic body gave permission to erect WiFi poles in Chepauk-Triplicane based on a request from Udayanidhi Stalin, MLA of the constituency.

Poles have been erected across the constituency as Udayanidhi Stalin requested for a total of 40 poles WiFi poles at 22 places, including Icehouse junction, May Day Park, Anna Statue junction, Rathna Cafe junction, Lloyd's Colony Park, Royapettah Clock Tower (10 poles), Amir Mahal Cricket Ground, Parthasarathy Temple, near Mirsahibpet market, Royapettah Government Hospital, pumping station ground and other places.

Citizens can connect to the Wi-Fi network for 45 minutes by entering OTP that will be generated while trying to connect.