One of the New 7 Wonders of the World just got that much more wonderful.
The Taj Mahal is now offering its visitors free Wi-Fi access, courtesy of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), an Indian state-owned telecommunications company located in the capital of New Delhi. The Archaeological Survey of India and the local Indian government had to agree to terms on the free Wi-Fi access, which they wound up green-lighting.
BSNL will offer visitors free Wi-Fi access for the first 30 minutes of their visit. They will incur charges for every hour afterward, though, as reported by India Today. According to Times of India, tourists will be able to buy vouchers with a one-time password for longer Internet access. Subscription plans are also available for more lengthy usage.
This is all a part of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to push free Wi-Fi service to the country's monuments, along with service to cities with more than 1 million residents, under the Digital India program. Modi was already successful getting Wi-Fi to the Ganga ghats of Varanasi, riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges where people bathe and perform ceremonies, and is on the verge of doing the same with the Sun Temple at Konark, a representation of the sun god Surya's chariot on the Bay of Bengal.
India's union minister for information and communications, Ravi Shankar Prasad, spoke to the Times of India about the monument landing Wi-Fi access.
"This is a historic moment," Prasad said. "The monument of love has come a long way from Wah Taj to Wi-Fi Taj."
BSNL collaborated with U.S.-based company, QuadGen Wireless Solutions, to provide the high-speed service at the Taj Mahal, the iconic white marble tomb in Agra that was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to honor his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
It's estimated that the monument had upwards of 6 million visitors last year. Get your selfie sticks ready!
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