NDMC partners with MTNL for internet connectivity in Connaught Place and Khan Market

Earlier in 2014, NDMC had partnered with Tata Teleservices to provide the service in inner and outer circles of Connaught Place, one of the significant business and leisure centres in the city.The civic body had claimed that the service is the largest in India. Similarly, NDMC had partnered with Tata Docomo to provide the facility in Khan Market.

NDMC had in 2015 announced that all the areas under its jurisdiction will soon be a Wi-Fi zone and had joined hands with Indus Towers Limited to replace 18,500 street-light poles in its areas with 'NextGen digital poles' which will be fitted with Wi-Fi access points, LED bulbs and CCTV cameras which, it claimed, is first-of-its kind initiative in the world.

However, the project had taken a back seat with the Delhi High Court directing NDMC to not sign the contract for award of tender till it hears a plea filed by Reliance Jio challenging the tender process. Fresh tenders have now been floated for the purpose.

At present, the service can be availed by 5,000 people with an average speed of 512 Kbps. The first 20 minutes within a 24-hour period are entirely free after which scratch cards can be purchased in various denominations in the market.
However, visitors and traders have been complaining for months that the service is not functioning seamlessly, a claim confirmed by the civic authorities.

The project has also been listed on the civic body's "Smart City" agenda in the budget for 2016-17 presented last week. It plans to begin the new services in Connaught Place and then proceed to further areas.