Chennai to install 107 new Wi-Fi smart poles along coastline

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) plans to install 107 new Wi-Fi-enabled smart poles along the Chennai coastline, with the service expected to become operational in September. The initiative will provide visitors with up to 45 minutes of free daily internet access.

Under the project, 75 poles will be installed at Marina Beach, 20 at Besant Nagar, and 10 at Tiruvanmiyur. The infrastructure is being funded by service providers through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. This expansion follows user complaints regarding the poor performance and unreliable connectivity of existing public Wi-Fi facilities in the city.

In addition to the beach project, the GCC is planning an overhaul of approximately 2,600 existing smart poles located across 900 sites, including hospitals, public parks, and government offices. Service providers such as ACT Fibernet and Reliance Jio have been directed to repair damaged infrastructure and improve connectivity to ensure a more stable network.