SHILLONG: The State government’s plan to create Wi-Fi zones has received lukewarm response from bidders.
DP Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary in the Information Technology and Communications Department, said the department had issued tender for the project “but surprisingly only one bidder, Airtel” came forward.
The project is stuck as the state financial rules do not allow open bidding if there is only one bidder, Wahlang said, adding that the department is now thinking whether the tender should be refloated.
Under the programme, the Government intends to provide Wi-Fi in seven locations in Shillong and three in Tura town.
He said the government intends to provide first 20 minutes of Wi-Fi as free and later the user will have to buy coupons to continue using the services. The State Government will have to spent around Rs 4 crore per annum to provide free internet to users for the first 20 minutes.
