While Elon Musk's Starlink works towards establishing high-speed internet to every part of the world including India, Facebook India enters a formal contact with (ISPs) D-Vois and Netplus, internet service providers, to make the Internet access more budget friendly for the public.

ISPs will use Facebook Connectivity's Express Wi-Fi platform to roll out public Wi-Fi hotspots in Bangalore and other Punjab cities. The ISPs will use Facebook Connectivity's Express Wi-Fi platform, which allows mobile operators, satellite operators, and internet service providers to develop, grow, and monetize their Wi-Fi businesses.

Express Wi-Fi is a software platform that allows mobile operators, satellite operators, and Internet service providers (ISPs) to create, grow, and monetize their Wi-Fi businesses in a sustainable and scalable manner.

Partners in more than 30 nations use the platform to connect millions of individuals all over the world. Eight partners have already deployed the platform in India, providing public Wi-Fi alternatives to people in 12 states.

D-VoiS provides its broadband services under the ION brand and has a presence in 60 cities. It has roughly 1,000 connection points in Bangalore and operates its broadband services under the brand ION.

According to Ramesh Sathyanarayana, Founder, D-vois Communications, “ION aims to expand public Wi-Fi to thousands of hotspots in restaurants, bus stops, malls, cafes, hospitals, and other public spaces”.

Netplus Broadband, the internet division under Fastway Group, on the other hand, provides high-speed internet using FTTH in all major cities and townships across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Utrakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.

“With Express Wi-Fi, we aim to empower people with good infinite Wi-Fi connectivity at several high footfall public areas such as malls, hospitals, bus stands, and market complexes across the cities of Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandar, Patiala, and Bhatinda. This effort will also support PM WANI's objective to make Wi-Fi services available to all citizens,” said Prem Ojha, CEO, Fastway Group.

"From Dharavi in Mumbai to Shillong, Aizawl, Vadodara, Rajkot, and many other towns and cities across the country, the Express Wi-Fi platform is enabling economic opportunities, innovation, and expression for people, businesses, and communities alike”, says Manish Chopra, Director and Head, Partnerships, Facebook India.

“Affordable, high-quality internet access is critical to boosting the digital economy and improving access to jobs, education, healthcare, and other services”, Chopra added.