From daijiworld's special correspondent (MB)

Panaji, May 16: Tata Group Company, VSNL has drawn up major plans to enhance the footprint of its Wi-Fi service in India as part of its strategy to tap into the huge growing on-the-move market.

VSNL has been leading the growth of Wi-Fi hotspot industry in India and today has the largest public hotspot network in India with over 250 hotspots. It has drawn up major plans this year to further enhance the footprint to over 1000 hotspots – bringing the internet that much more closer to the large Indian traveling and on-the-move population.

VSNL’s hotspots include the major domestic and International airports, leading premium Star hotels, educational institutions, sports stadia, hospitals, chain of restaurants and coffee shops. Its partners include companies like Taj Group of Hotels, Le Meridien, Café Coffee Day, Barista, Manipal University, Wockhardt, amongst others. VSNL has also been driving innovation through creating hotspots at non-traditional locations like Mobile Stores, IT stores, Railway Stations, etc.

VSNL is the only Indian company to become a member of the prestigious Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), a leading global consortium of Network Wi-Fi service providers. VSNL has drawn up major plans to enable international roaming for business travelers by leveraging  the alliance.

In view of its contribution to the Wireless Broadband Alliance, since becoming a member in June 2006 and also looking at the increasing importance of India as a business destination, WBA has invited VSNL to join the WBA ExCo board (Executive committee board) which currently has worldwide telecommunication leaders, British Telecom, France Telecom, Korean Telecom, StarHub, Swisscom Mobile and T-Mobile-US.

VSNL is also gearing up for yet another achievement. “VSNL is deeply honoured to be invited to join the WBA ExCo board and believe that India would play a significant role in shaping the Global Wireless Broadband market” said Prateek Pashine, Vice President - Marketing & Technology, Retail Broadband Business, VSNL.

"India has become a key destination for business travelers across the world thanks to its booming IT industry and large consumer market and WBA has always been very keen to expand its footprint in India. Partnering with VSNL, India’s leading ISP, will enable the WBA members to use VSNL's large network to help their customers across the world to stay in touch continuously. VSNL's membership of the alliance will strengthen it and help link the world to India through wireless Broadband," said Julie Ragbourne, BT, co-chair, WBA, whilst attending the 11th WBA Round Table hosted by VSNL in Goa. 60 delegates from 20 leading service providers across the globe are participating in the Round table.
 
"We are delighted to welcome VSNL, the pioneers of internet in India, on Board of  WBA, which underlines the importance of India as an emerging market for Wi-Fi services” said Ron Angerame, T Mobile US, co-chair, while presenting the invitation to VSNL to join the WBA ExCo Board.