Intel Technology, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Microsense, are working towards making Pune the first city in the country to have commercial meshed Wi-fi and WiMax deployment.

Through this initiative, The "Unwire Pune" project, PMC proposes to make Pune a 'wireless city' which will provide network access to millions of users from the private, corporate and administrative sectors.

Intel India was selected as the chief technology and program management consultant by PMC in 2006 to architect the project; and have started Phase-1 deployments with Microsense. Microsense has been chosen to roll out the network and offer broadband wireless services.

Phase 1 of the project deployment targets to provide wireless connectivity to an area of 20 sq kms, covering Deccan Gymkhana, Sambhaji Park, Aundh, Baner and Model Colony in the city. This first phase is likely to be completed in 4-6 months. The entire project will be rolled out phase by phase and in the next 12-18 months Pune will go completely wireless with broadband speeds of 256 kbps.

People in Sambhaji Park and the PMC Building can already avail of the seamless connectivity.

This project is a public private tie-up where the PMC tied up with Intel and Micrsosense to work towards making Pune "wireless" one upping over cities like Mumbai and Bangalore.

Dr. Nitin Kareer, Commissioner of PMC said, "PMC is happy and proud to make Pune the first city in the country to be unwired. We have worked to identify the right technology option and partners—Intel and Microsense, to actualise the digital revolution in the city of Pune. As much as providing basic facilities such as drinking water supply, sewerage, power, roads, etc. PMC would like to provide basic IT infrastructure such as stable internet connectivity to its citizens and also offer compelling business and cost models to attract and sustain major ISP businesses in Pune".

"Intel believes that this endeavor—"Unwiring Pune" is a significant leap in making broadband ubiquitous connectivity, accessible to the common man. Demonstrating how technologies transform communities and people's lives; this project will enable better education, healthcare, agricultural productivity and income; while improving small business and e-government access. This is a momentous announcement as we continue to scale and deliver on our vision of World Ahead. We look forward to a continued strong association with PMC", said R. Sivakumar, Managing Director, Intel (South Asia).

"This is a very momentous occasion, a harbinger of how new wireless technologies can make possible significant changes to our country. This is also the first time that a city corporation is facilitating such a service. We look forward to the full participation and involvement of the people of Pune to make the initiative a success," said S. Kailasanathan, Managing Director, Microsense.