NEW DELHI: The free Wi-Fi service is no longer available at Delhi Metro stations. The service was withdrawn in August after the contractor providing it to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) network defaulted on contract terms and conditions. However, DMRC will complete upgrading mobile connectivity by November-end as there is a signal issue at 29 underground stations on the Yellow, Blue and Violet lines, officials said. In 2020, DMRC introduced the free Wi-Fi service on trial basis at its Airport Line stations and on trains, which had to be suspended later due to Covid curbs. The service was also introduced at Blue and Yellow line stations. It was being provided by a consortium led by Techno Sat Comm. “The contractor responsible for providing the Wi-Fi services has defaulted on contract terms and conditions, hence the contract was terminated,” said Anuj Dayal, principal executive director of corporate communications at DMRC. When the service was introduced, there were plans to provide the same facility in all trains and stations. However, a DMRC official said, with the advent of 5G and better mobile connectivity in the DMRC network, the relevance of Wi-Fi for passengers has decreased. At the 29 underground station that still face the issue of call drops and poor connectivity, DMRC is installing booster systems. “DMRC is constantly striving to strengthen and upgrade its mobile connectivity across its network to provide the latest signal standards to its commuters, specially at its underground stations,” said Dayal. Some key stations are Vishwavidyalaya, Kashmere Gate, Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Lok Kalyan Marg, AIIMS, Hauz Khas, Mandi House, Dwarka Sec 21 and Central Secretariat. “The other lines of DMRC have already been upgraded with the best mobile connectivity,” said a DMRC official, adding that the upgradation is being done in collaboration with Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd, a prime engineering & consultancy company under the central government. Meanwhile, the field trial for a new high-tech service, which will permit lightning-fast transfer of content to mobile devices at a speed of 400X of 4G without any active internet connection, began on Tuesday in the National Capital Region in association with DMRC. Based on the feedback, the service will be made available to public.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/mobile-link-better-dmrc-stops-free-wi-fi-service/articleshow/95286113.cms