BREAKING: Chaiwalas to offer free WiFi in Mumbai! #digitalindia #chai

BREAKING: Chaiwalas to offer free WiFi in Mumbai! #digitalindia #chai

by | Jul 15, 2015 | Uncategorized

Muft Internet - What is Muft Internet - Introduction to the Muft Internet Project

PRESS RELEASE

Subject: Mumbai to get free WiFi spots soon!

By Jinesh Parekh
January 15, 2015

MUMBAI, IN – An organization called MUFT Internet, bulk internet service provider announced today that it has devised a technological system that will enable chai stalls in India with free WiFi access by 2016.

For a sum of INR 500 per month you could enable internet access for 50 people in India for 30 days. That’s an Internet bill of Rs.10 per person for an entire month. MUFT Internet plans to set up its free internet access points at chai stalls, cafes, schools, hospital clinics, train stops and all public areas.

“NO subscription fees. NO data fees. MUFT WiFi hotspots will ALWAYS be free. Just create a MUFT WiFi account and enjoy free internet everywhere! It should be that simple”

said Vipul Patel, co-founder of the Muft Internet project who plans to use a simplified network architecture and interaction design techniques to make it simple for users in India to access free internet.

Currently, 85% of India is still offline. 1 out of 1.3 billion Indians have never been online. The organization strongly believes that free internet should be considered as a human right and is working on ways to bridge the digital divide that includes providing internet for rural areas in India.

“Muft Internet has been working with government authorities, industry experts and Silicon Valley investors to make free internet access possible.”

– Mr Siddarth Bharwani, Director at Jetking Infotrain and member at Muft Internet.

The organization recently launched its first devices called the MUFT WiFi hotspots. These young scientists claim that with MUFT WiFi hotspots they will enable tea stalls to provide free internet access to its customers.

“Economic reforms begins with free internet access. Think of the impact on society with free information access!”

says Neha Rambhia (ex-IIT Bombay), a volunteer at Muft Internet.

Recent surveys shows cafes and restaurants that offer free WiFi enjoy more customers and footfalls than those who don’t. MUFT WiFi hotspots are helping small business owners improve their revenue and customer experience – by enabling their customers with free internet access.

MUFT WiFi hotspots will come in three monthly packages (hardware + software + service solutions) – Asha, Kiran and Pragati which will have a range of 25 m2, 50 m2 and 150 m2.

The pilot project begins with a small fast food joint called Mumbai Masala at Fort (Mumbai) and a hospital waiting room in Virar. The organization is reviewing applicants that can adopt these spots.

“I am excited about this idea. It’s refreshing and would love to see how my sales are improved after the free wifi service.” Said the very first owner of MUFT WiFi hotspot – Mr. Rajesh Shah (Owner, Mumbai Masala)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obxv4NxU6v4]
 

Key facts about MUFT WiFi hotspots

  • A free internet (WiFi) access point system that works with any ISP and can be used by EVERYONE for FREE INTERNET!
  • MUFT WiFi hotspots uses a series of new and #opensource technologies in the field of network architecture, internet distributions, wireless networks and interaction design.
  • MUFT WiFi hotspots will soon be present at train stations once the necessary permissions are obtained from the Railway ministry.
  • Unlike most wireless network, MUFT WiFi hotspots manages the security of the entire network to prevent cyber attacks.
  • The hardware is light weight, easy to install and is backed by powerful cloud technology that does not compromise on the security.
  • The technology was created by researchers from over 8 universities –  Tallinn University (Estonia), SciencePo University (France), Harvard Business School (USA), Singapore Management University are to name a few.
  • The ultimate goal of this technology is to have “free WiFi cities” in India.

About Muft Internet

What started as a Human Computer Interaction and Participatory Design research project with an aim to bring more people from developing countries online is now turning into a revolutionary information access movement that will transform India into a digital society.

The word ‘Muft’ / (मुफ़्त) means ‘Free’ in Hindi. We believe that free Internet access is a human right.

NOTE: We are not internet service providers, we are enablers. We work with the ISPs, government authorities and advertisers/investors to enable places with free internet access.

Contact

To learn more about this please visit http://muftinternet.com/muftwifi/ or come over at:

THREE SPIN CREATIVE SOLUTION PVT LTD.
4TH FLR FEDERATION HOUSE
ANADILAL PODAR MARG
MUMBAI 400002
MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.

Phone: +91 22 2208 2800 | Email: [email protected]

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COVERAGE: Tea, with internet, anyone? |via @TheHindu Business Line

COVERAGE: Tea, with internet, anyone? |via @TheHindu Business Line

by | Jul 3, 2015 | Uncategorized

Soon, you may be able to browsealong with your cuppa atover 20,000 chai stalls in Mumbai

Mumbai, February 2:

Twenty-year-old Ahmed Farooque is watching his favourite videos on YouTube at Mumbai Masala, a small and modest eatery in the city’s Fort area. His free Wi-Fi connection is part of a project to roll out internet browsing services at 22,000 tea vendors in the city.

“Generally, I run to Starbucks or McDonald’s when I have to download stuff or update the heavy applications on my smartphone. However, this is a much cheaper option,” Farooque, a college student, said.

The concept of installing Wi-Fi hotspots at tea centres is being pushed by MUFT Internet, a company helmed by 20-something scientists who are still pursuing higher education. MUFT, which means free, wants to make Wi-Fi available at common places such as eateries, hospitals and universities.

“We believe that free internet should be considered a human right and are hence working on ways to bridge the digital divide,” Jinesh Parekh, a Researcher at MUFT Internet, who is also pursuing a Masters in Human Computer Interaction from Estonia, said.

Though it’s just been three days of offering free broadband, Mumbai Masala is already seeing more footfalls. Sales have gone up by 50 per cent for an additional monthly investment of Rs. 1,500 (for Wi-Fi equipment and support), according to Harishbhai Poojari, Manager of the 18-month-old eatery. Mumbai Masala is now able to attract more college students in addition to office-goers, its standard clientele.

“Today, a former tea vendor (Narendra Modi) is the Prime Minister of our country. Our owner felt it was high time that tea joints and small eateries in the country get a complete makeover. Moreover, it’s a great differentiator as Fort area is populated with all kinds of eateries,” said Poojari.

MUFT Internet said it can enable internet access for 50 persons, starting at Rs. 500 a month. The internet bandwidth provider is able to keep costs low by a combination of methods such as group-buying of broadband, innovative software technologies and participation of philanthropists, said Parekh.

Siddarth Bharwani, Director at Jetking Infotrain, and several other industry executives are part of the company. MUFT has also written to large corporations such as Infosys, Samsung and Micromax to support this initiative.

(This article was published in the Business Line print edition dated February 3, 2015)

via Tea, with internet, anyone? | Business Line.

 

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