Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), the premier research and development wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has announced initiatives to set up solar-powered WiFi stations in India.
Launched at the Digital India week, the C-DoT will use existing National Optical Fiber Network along with its own technology to provide internet via wifi to remote sections of the nation. Solar-powered wifi can be used to set up cellular base stations, station controllers, servers and ATM stations via hotspots. It will operate via 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands. Owing to its independency from mechanical power supply, it will be able to provide more consistent and wider internet connectivity across remote areas.
The Indian Government has pledged to increase solar power generation up to 20,000 MW by 2022. Companies like Softbank, Bharti and Foxconn have stated $20bn of investment behind solar power ventures in India. With solar power generation on the rise, this project by C-DoT will enhance internet connectivity reaches even the remotest sections of India.