Robi, the third largest mobile operator in Bangladesh, yesterday rolled out free Wi-Fi services on 100 buses and 100 taxicabs to provide high-speed internet to its subscribers.

At a programme at Sonargaon Hotel, the operator also announced a plan to provide Wi-Fi in 500 restaurants, 100 educational institutions, 10 public places, including airports and railway stations, and 350 buses, taxicabs and trains in six months.

Only Robi subscribers who have purchased a mobile internet pack of at least 1 GB will be eligible for free Wi-Fi, the company said in a statement.

Robi is providing the service in collaboration with AccessTel, Qubee and Aamra networks. “This is a great initiative to connect more people through the internet,” said Tarana Halim, state minister for telecom, at the ceremony.

“I hope the mobile operators will continue to contribute to society in this manner.”

Chief Executive Officer of Robi Supun Weerasinghe said: “Robi is committed to enabling the government's vision of a Digital Bangladesh, and availability of internet is the prime enabler of this vision.”

Matiul Islam Nowshad, chief corporate and people officer at Robi, said Wi-Fi technology provides the ultimate solution to addressing the growing demand for high-speed internet at affordable prices.