BSNL to provide Wi-Fi services at more airports managed by AAI

State-run BSNL will provide Wi-Fi services at more airports managed by the Airports Authority of India. AAI manages 121 airports in the country, including 11 international airports.

"We approached AAI Chairman three months back for providing Wi-Fi services. He actively responded to it. AAI has agreed to allow BSNL services and circulated information to all airports managed by them for allowing BSNL services," PTI quoted BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava as saying.

"We have started offering Wi-Fi services at 4-5 airports, including Bhopal and Coimbatore. Depending on commercial feasibility we will expand services at airports," Shrivastava said.

At some airports, the AAI partners with Tata Teleservices for Wi-Fi services.

BSNL had plans for setting up 2,500 Wi-Fi centres across India by the end of the financial year, which excluded 100 Wi-Fi spots that it was setting up with Facebook and for members of Parliament in their constituencies.

The installation of Wi-Fi services comes as a major shift by AAI as majority of airports at present did not provide Wi-Fi services.

BSNL will be allowed to provide Wi-Fi service at those airports that did not have Wi-Fi services. As regards Wi-Fi rates, BSNL would be asked to charge the rates provided by ministry of civil aviation (MoCA).

BSNL planned to provide Wi-Fi services at majority of the airports before March 2016.

AAI has earned Rs9,285 crore by way of revenue and profit after tax of Rs1,959 crore for the year FY 2014-15.

The AAI airports handled a total of 46.62 million international passengers and 122.3 million domestic passengers, ie, 169 million passengers in FY 2013-14.