Udupi: Malpe beach based in Karnataka has become the first beach in India to get free Wi-Fi connectivity. Local MLA Mr. Pramod Madhwaraj launched the 24×7 Wi-Fi connectivity at Malpe beach.
After launching the facility, Madhwaraj said, “Malpe beach is a good place for spending time with friends and family. The Malpe beach committee is focusing on providing quality service in terms of sanitation facilities, parking system for tourists, maintaining cleanliness and so on.”
“The committee has spent Rs 80 lac on beach development works. The beach committee constructed a watchtower recently for beach viewers. It has appointed six lifeguards, four workers for keeping the beach clean and three have been appointed to keep St Mary’s Island neat and clean.
“The committee has also spent Rs 4 crore to Rs 5 crore on road development works and has purchased beach cleaning machine at a cost of Rs 70 lac,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Manjunathaiah, CMC commissioner said, “The Udupi municipal council and beach development committee chaired by DC R Vishal, have a dream of providing more facilities to visitors and we will work towards this.”
Free Wi-Fi access at Malpe beach is sponsored by Udupi district administration and Malpe Beach Development Authority. This service is provided by BSNL in association with MsQuadgen Wireless Solutions Inc supported by the union government’s Digital Drive Initiative of facilitating high-speed internet facility across the country.
A special feature of this facility is a customer of any service provider (may be from BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance etc) can access high-speed data. This facility is absolutely free to the tourists at Malpe beach for half an hour a day.
Customers have to just turn on the Wi-Fi and connect to QFI-BSNL-BU. A web browser with free registration form will appear, which the customer has to submit after filling and an OTP (one-time password) will be sent to the customer. Once the OTP is entered on the registration page, the customer can browse the net for half an hour.