If you run out of data pack while out on the street, worry not. Soon, your chaiwala will be able to serve you WiFi data along with tea. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has been working on a device that will help roadside vendors and shopkeepers provide WiFi Internet services to their customers.
According to a report in the Economic Times, the device, called public data office (PDO), will cost under ₹50,000 and will let users buy data for as little as ₹10.
"Today, Digital India is not happening in every nook and corner of India. But the concept of PDO will enable even a chaiwallah to sell low-cost Wi-Fi-based broadband services anywhere. Even a nearby kirana shop can resell data services for as low as Rs 10 or even less," C-DoT's executive director Vipin Tyagi told ET.
The device will work by authenticating users through a OTP (One Time Password) sent to their mobile phones. It will also integrate Aadhar based eKYC.
C-DOT has been working with 20 manufacturers to begin the mass production of PDO. It has arranged with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Department of Telecom (DoT) to use free-to-use frequencies in the 2.4 Ghz and 5.8 Ghz bands.
Officials at C-DOT said that they are working with aggregators and small shopkeepers for distribution and licence free activation of the Internet.
In Bengaluru, a startup called WiFi dabba already works with roadside vendors to provide WiFi services to customers.
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