An AMC-operated company installed a 180-km long Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) network at a cost of Rs 23 crore. The project was part of the Rs 5,754 crore Smart City project, which included 70 different proposals.
The OFC project, first proposed in 2016, envisioned providing free high-speed internet access at AMC offices and BRTS bus stops.
However, after achieving only 40-50% network usage and decreasing popularity of free internet service at BRTS bus stops, AMC has decided to lease out 50% of the network to private entities in order to generate crores of revenue to cover the cost of installation and maintenance.
The contract to maintain the network is currently held by Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd, an AMC subsidiary that operates BRTS buses.
An AMC official said, “AMC has laid OFC network which was much more than its requirements. At present, only 50% of the network is being used. It has been proposed to lease out half the network to private players and generate revenue. As AJL maintains the OFC network, it will come out with tenders shortly. First, EoI will be invited from private players. The process will start soon. It is difficult to project how much revenue will be generated from it.”
There are those within the AMC who are opposed to the monetisation scheme. One such official said, “AMC or AJL are not internet service providers. When the 180-km network is leased out, the last mile connectivity needed by private players will pose huge problems. It will require laying down new cables. The proposal to lease out OFC is not as easy as it seems.”
The free wi-fi service was first provided at more than 150 BRTS bus stands in the city in 2016. It was a big hit with the citizens at first. More than 15,000 people used it on a daily basis.
The figure has dropped dramatically to 4,000-5,000 per day. AMC issued four lakh Janmitra cards, with less than one lakh still in use today.
AMC is attempting to popularise free internet by launching public awareness campaigns at BRTS bus stops. It is also being considered to provide citizens with free service for a set period of time even if they do not have Jamitra cards.