[searchingheaven]

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In a development what is believed to be the first of its kind, BSNL has come up with a new Wi-Fi module for cars priced between Rs. 5,000-6,000.

BSNL's Indore division has come up with a Wi-Fi module for cars that allows people to access the Wi-Fi internet while they are travelling. The module, costing around Rs. 5,000-6,000, was first set up on the car of BSNL Indore unit's General Manager G C Pandey. According to Mr. Pandey, this is perhaps the first model in the country where a car is equipped with an antenna that receives Wi-Fi signals with a 3.5Mbps speed, via CDMA exchange technology.The BSNL official believes the Wi-Fi model could see serious adoption by consumers once the technology's benefits gain popularity. BSNL's Wi-Fi module may be the first in the country, but a lot of car companies abroad such as Ford, GM and BMW are offering in-car hotspots. That being said, BSNL's Wi-Fi module is affordable and it could really attract a large number of customers if integrated with budget to mid-range cars in the country.


What do you think of BSNL's Wi-Fi module for cars? Will Wi-Fi enabled cars be a reality in India sooner than we expect?

[turbospooler]

I guess even we can make our own hotspot by getting a simple USB powered router like the one I am linking below (flipkart site is being used as reference to show the product. That's it.) and a 3G dongle/ CDMA dongle connected by the car's USB music system.
I am not sure about it but will test it.
Coming back to BSNL's launch, it can be one of the features used by daily commuters and must be implemented on buses/ taxis etc where they can charge for this service as well!

[sanjubaba]

While this is new concept.. Any mobile today with a Wi Fi hotspot automatically gives you this feature.

Am I missing something?

-Sanjubaba.

[punto_]

Looks interesting. This will be very useful especially when on travel.
If the Wifi data charges are kept at competitive prices, there could be some takers for this.

@ sanjubaba - this will save battery on the mobile. Mobile Hotspot can consume a lot of battery.

[sharninder]

Originally Posted by searchingheaven

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What do you think of BSNL's Wi-Fi module for cars? Will Wi-Fi enabled cars be a reality in India sooner than we expect?

Looks like they've basically installed a CDMA-WiFi router in a car? My phone already does this .. or is this something new and I'm just not getting it?

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by sanjubaba

While this is new concept.. Any mobile today with a Wi Fi hotspot automatically gives you this feature.

Am I missing something?

-Sanjubaba.

Originally Posted by sharninder

Looks like they've basically installed a CDMA-WiFi router in a car? My phone already does this .. or is this something new and I'm just not getting it?

+ 1.

The module costs 5-6k. What are the real advantages? Unless it lets you share the Wi-Fi plans/ speeds from your home connection.

[akshay4587]

I have a similar set up in my car since quite a few months,but since i am driving alone most of the time its useless for me.
My set up comprises of:

Micromax USB 3G Dongle,and a Tp link Battery powered 3G Wifi Router.

[hellmet]

Originally Posted by akshay4587

I have a similar set up in my car since quite a few months,but since i am driving alone most of the time its useless for me.
My set up comprises of:

Micromax USB 3G Dongle,and a Tp link Battery powered 3G Wifi Router.

And the best part of this setup is that it costs less than the 5K for the module, you can take the dongle with you everywhere and not have to pay for another plan for the car's module, which I'm sure will be exorbitant going by how others treat people with cars in this country.

[Blue Thunder]

I dont think this is a saleable proposition : smartphones with wifi hotspot feature are the way to go (with, of course, the phone plugged into the car battery outlet....the wi-fi hotspot does drain the battery faster).

[man_and_machine]

Airport taxi's would benefit from it. This could also see market in the company cabs/buses. Google has wi-fi enabled transport. Knowing BSNL, I would not see many takers from individual self-driven cars. However it would be an interesting concept to see security software built around for cabs.

[sajusherief]

When you can easily afford a 3G wifi dongle in car which gives you better speed and multi operator freedom, I don't see anything new or advantageous for BSNL by introducing this, that too they are providing a 3.1 Mbps CDMA technology. What they could have done is to come up with a (quality) 3G portable router designed exclusively for car 12 V sockets(with an adapter too probably). This in my opinion would be the first option for anyone who needs an internet connection in the car.

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by man_and_machine

Airport taxi's would benefit from it. This could also see market in the company cabs/buses. Google has wi-fi enabled transport. Knowing BSNL, I would not see many takers from individual self-driven cars. However it would be an interesting concept to see security software built around for cabs.

Last time when I called a cab to goto Blr Airport, it already had a WiFi hotspot in it! I don't know how he implemented it.

[scopriobharath]

I did not understand the Strategy behind this.

Now-a-days 2G internet is available on Mobile for 100/- per month, which is decent enough for Emails, Light browsing and Smartphone GPS. I feel it is better to invest in a 2G / 3G plan on a smartphone and probably attach a wiress router(for the rear passenger if needed).

I for one would not buy this dongle. I prefer a Sim based connection so that i can switch to the best operator possible.

[Desmosedici]

I think Tata Docomo already has one such WiFi device at the same price range and can be used anywhere, in house, car etc. You can also share the connection with 3 or 5 users at the same time with the Tata device. Once charged the device can run for 4 hours.

[Warwithwheels]

This should benefit the taxi market. There's already a call taxi operator based out of Chennai who provides Wifi onboard.

I don't see many individual buyers going in for this device because most mid to high end Apple/Android/Blackberry/Nokia phones offer the WIFI hotspot facility.