Free Wi-Fi: Kolkata airport sets up more help desks, signage

KOLKATA: Kolkata airport has set up new help desks and started to share details of existing ones on social media platforms from where international passengers can collect OTPs to access free Wi-Fi. New signage will be installed soon to guide flyers to these help desks.
The arrangements were made in response to complaints by international flyers who cannot access Wi-Fi in absence of a local number where OTPs generally arrive. TOI had written about the problem last week, following which airport authorities set up the desks at prominent sites.
"There are help desks at the international arrival as well as departure areas. Passenger have to furnish documents like passport and ticket. The help desk executive will issue a password and login ID which can be used to avail free Wi-Fi service at the airport," said the official.
Officials also reached out on social media platforms. "Happy to help! At Kolkata airport, passengers can approach the staff at the 'may I help you' desk for any kind of travel-related assistance. The desks are located at both arrival and departure area," Kolkata airport's handle posted. In a separate post, authorities shared phone numbers of the terminal manager - 9674721815 and 9674721816 - for any assistance. Another official said they're about to recruit a new agency for updating signage.
TOI had written about the old problem of free Wi-Fi at the airport, especially with an increase in passenger traffic over the last few months. Kolkata airport's social media pages are flooded with grouses from passengers who complain about difficulty in accessing free wifi services at the terminal for international passengers who do not have a local mobile number.
As is the norm in all airports in the country, free Wi-Fi facility is available for 45 minutes for passengers at domestic and international terminals. However, to connect to the Wi-Fi, passengers need to provide their mobile numbers as login IDs. Once connected, this service enables the passengers to access internet. This service requires a valid Indian mobile number and after the free time the same can be extended on payment.
For international passengers who do not have a local number, the OTP needs to be collected in person from a help desk at the airport. "Good initiative. Kindly ensure someone is there as long as passengers are there. Often found empty desks during late night or early morning flights," Soumyajit Bose, a flier commented at the post.
In India, airport officials said, as per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India regulations, public wireless network users need to be verified for security reasons through OTPs.