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Wireless broadband on a train is as of now too prohibitive in matters of cost. One does not think that cost is ever going to come down. Nor is the technology well established. That's despite efforts on that front in other parts of the world. The places where such a technology is in vogue are the ones where it is a spin off of the wireless technology used for train operations.

Wireless broadband at a railway platform for the sake of passengers is definitely feasible. The users wouldof course have to be charged for the same. If the validation key used for the service is amenable to roaming, it would be a more useful service. One is inclined to believe that quite a few third parties that deal with such business would be more than happy to provide this service on our behalf on a revenue sharing basis.

Wireless broadband in the offices is quite feasible. Creating a hot spot is a rather cheap proposition now. But before that one needs to have a broadband supply. Internet connections in our offices are still treated as a largesse by a particular department in our system. Having said that and considering the fall in the prices of internet bandwidth and the fact that we are quite a bulk user, it is quite feasible. But let the notebooks roll in first.

Subhashisha Nath.

Absolutely, Mr. Freefall. It's the frills that illusively impart the thrills. They are fine and welcome as long as one keeps hitting the nail on its head. Money-making opportunities are fine as long as they are over and above the core issue and possibly contribute in whatsoever way to the same. Or else our fate would be the same as that of a fabulous employee who otherwise keeps throwing tantrums. He is dumped the day another suitable alternative is available.

Subhashisha Nath.

Dear Mr. Freefall,

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that whether we go in for wireless broadband or not has got nothing to do with whatever they do at the airports. A rough estimate would indicate that the cost of haulage even for a budget airlines is around Rs. 5-6 per passenger kilometer. Travelling by a shatabdi or a rajdhani in classes comparable to economy class of airlines costs the passenger about Rs. 3 per passenger kilometer. Time is certainly a key factor. But then it would be interesting to see how much do the budget airlines proliferate beyond the competitive sectors. So my point is that Indian Railways aims at a much broader customer base than the airlines segment. Having said that, it is great to look at the 'delighters' where those 'delighters' would actually be the key factor for retaining one's customer base. But ironing out the 'dissatisfiers' shall still remain the most important aspect.

As far as having broadband on a rajdhani is concerned - one spends 17 hours on board after all - I am firm in my belief that whatever technology is available right now comes at a prohibitive cost. And on top of it, I am sure that it has not been perfected as yet for a very reliable service simply because of the fact that most of the people in business have not seen a strong business case in the same. And please believe me, it would not absolutely make any business sense from the view point of Indian Railways too. Most of the travellers that carry notebooks with them and are likely to use the service have a much better alternative in form of V-Data / Data cards provided by a few MSPs slotted into their notebooks. It would be much slower in speed, but would come for something like Rs. 400 a month with an initial investment of Rs. 3000. Just for the record, internet in train that can be considered by Indian Railways would make any business sense at all with a tariff range of Rs. 250-300 per hour, that too if at least 10% of the train's full capacity use the service. There is no way of bringing down this cost. So, Mr. Freefall, we could forget broadband on Rajdhanis for the time being and concentrate on other core issues.

Subhashisha Nath.

In re '31/3 is near': Well said, oh Buddhha, the Enlightened One.

In re 'Wireless BB a proven technology': A google can certainly fetch a million pages. Those that were incidental to study the technologies a tad closer for their implementation over Indian Railways know the reality vis-a-vis provenness a wee bit better. One agrees with the facts regarding the boom of mobile telephony and internet in this country. But the fact of the matter lies in discerning between the possible objectives of Indian Railways in the matter, namely, (1) to retain the customer base that would otherwise move else where without the BB facility, (2) to increase the customer base as a direct spin off of making the technology available, (3) to add a self-sustaining revenue stream, duly justified with possibility of future volumes worked out on the basis of a careful survey, by inducting a technology in which one certainly does not have core expertise. The initial as well as maintenance costs are prohibitive. So your and my guesses on the matter should be as good as a prudent businessman's proclivity towards justifying the calculated risks that he takes.

Subhashisha Nath.