RailTel join hands with a tech company to monetise Wi-Fi project

In an effort to monetize its Wi-Fi initiative at more than 6,100 train stations nationwide, RailTel, a PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has partnered with a technology business. According to a statement from RailTel, a consortium led by the global information technology company 3i Infotech Ltd. with headquarters in Mumbai has inked a five-year deal with the rail PSU. Yellow Inc. and Forensics Intelligence Surveillance and Security Technologies Private Limited (FISST) are the other members of the collaboration.

According to the agreement, revenue will be earned by extending multimedia infotainment services to rail passengers and monetizing Wi-Fi footfalls in one of the largest integrated public Wi-Fi networks in the world through targeted adverts. According to the announcement, this is India's first multi-year commercial deal to monetise captive users of public Wi-Fi networks through joint efforts. According to the agreement, the consortium managed by 3i Infotech would pay RailTel INR 0.14 million annually or 40% of income earned (whichever is higher).

As per 3i Infotech's estimation, the total revenue potential from the project is anticipated to be in excess of INR 2.5 million over a five-year period, with advertising serving as the primary driver of income and content/services-based revenue serving as a supporter. In India, there are currently 6,108 train stations with public Wi-Fi, and each day, more than 1.1 million different people log on to use it. According to the announcement, station Wi-Fi will advance consumers' digital experiences as a result of this joint agreement.