Free Internet Access On Shatabdi - A Reality?
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad is expected to announce a slew of initiatives for select Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains in the coming rail budget, including access to on-board free internet and direct-to-home (DTH) services according to the Business Standard.
“A number of business executives and foreigners among others, who carry Wi-Fi enabled laptops, often travel in Shatabdi and Rajdhani. We will target them and offer them internet,” according to a rail ministry official.
The extension of Wi-Fi internet zones on railway stations will, however, be taken up by Railtel Corporation, a public sector undertaking of the railway ministry, with work already begun on 10 stations out of the 50 stations short-listed for the purpose.
The upcoming railway budget may also open up advertising opportunities on select trains, which might be the way to offering the free Internet and DTH.