Back in September 2016, Google introduced Google Stations, a new internet access platform for partners to setup, maintain and monetize their Wi-Fi networks in their places with Google Fiber. Later in February last year, Google bagged Rs. 150 crore deal to provide WiFi across Pune via its Google Station initiative.
Today Google has announced that it has partnered with Larsen & Toubro to provide Google Station hotspots across Pune from last week, as part of Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited’s Smart City project. Google said that the first 150 Google Station hotspots (>location list here) are already operational in Pune, and it is currently testing the network based on performance to improve user experience.
This is the first deployment of Google Station outside of the train stations, and will allow people of Pune get online with free Wi-Fi hotspots at gardens, hospitals, police stations, and offices around the city.
Google also said that Google Station is built to be both the highest-quality and simplest Wi-Fi service for users and the easiest for partners to deploy — and it thinks that this makes Google Station a great connectivity partner for the growing number of Indian smart cities.
Commenting on the launch of Google Station in Pune, Vinay Goel, Product Management Director, Google Station said:
Today marks a big step for us as we expand Google Station hotspots from railways to cities. Our aim with Google Station is to to bring fast Wi-Fi to more users in more places within India. We built Google Station to be both the highest-quality and easiest Wi-Fi service for users and the easiest for partners to deploy — and we think this makes Station a great connectivity partner for the growing number of Indian smart cities. We’re looking forward to helping people in Pune get fast, simple and secure access to everything the internet has to offer.