Soon mobile users will be able to seamlessly move from a telecom network to a Wi-Fi hotspot without having to sign in or use passwords.
The Department of Telecom is putting in place a system which will make the transition seamless whereby users’ mobile handsets will automatically latch on to any public Wi-Fi systems available in an area.
Technically called Wi-Fi offload, the system has two advantages. On the consumer side, phone subscribers do not have to go through the hassle of signing up. They also get better quality of internet services as they get off telecom operators’ congested networks.
The other advantage is that telecom operators will be able to use their spectrum allocation better if users move onto Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi offload takes the excessive traffic load from the cellular network, reducing operators’ costs. “With the advent of smart phones and smart devices, mobile networks are dominated by data. The user demand for data is also increasing rapidly. This has led to a change in the way network planning is being done. This is where Wi-Fi offload comes in,” said a DoT official, who did not wish to be identified.
Revenue sharing DoT is looking at bringing a revenue-sharing arrangement between telecom companies and internet service providers who set up the Wi-Fi zones. The telecom regulator will soon be asked to recommend the interconnect charges between the various players involved.
The DoT will also free up new spectrum bands for Wi-Fi services.
This is being done to link up with the Centre’s objective to provide public Wi-Fi facilities across 45 cities and 705 tourist locations.
Once this is done, users will be able to watch their favourite movie or listen to live streaming music on their phones and tablets even if they do not have a 3G or 4G connection. Users will be able to access Internet through an SMS-based authentication.
The drawback is that there could be increased security threats or data theft because data transmitted on a public internet system could be hacked into if it is not secured properly.