Google aims to add 40 mn new Wi-Fi users in India by 2019

New Delhi, July 4: Google’s public Wi-Fi project is aiming to capture 40 million new connected users in India by 2019, resulting into at least $20 billion being added to the country’s GDP, a top company executive here on Wednesday.

“India is a big market for the next billion users. Wi-Fi is a huge focus area and opportunity in terms of connecting these users,” K. Suri, Director, Partnership, India, Next Billion Users, Google India, told reporters here.

“We have found that if users have free and fast access, it could make significant change to their lives and overall economic prosperity,” Suri added while releasing a joint study by Google and global research firm Analysys Mason.

Public Wi-Fi could play a key role in driving ubiquitous connectivity and digital inclusion in India.

Google has currently partnered with RailTel and Indian Railways to offer public Wi-Fi in railway stations, covering 400 stations with about 7.6 million monthly active Wi-Fi users.

“Public Wi-Fi will connect 40 million new users to the Internet by 2019 and that would translate into tangible benefits to GDP, by around $20 billion between 2017-19 and at least $10 billion per annum thereafter,” the study showed. (IANS)