Malls plan to do away with Wi Fi services

Malls plans to do away with Wi-Fiu00a0 services because they feel it's an added burden and a threat to security

Some memories never fade and theu00a0Mumbai terror attacks is one such. Even as the Mumbai police took an initiative to send representatives in search of unsecured Wi-Fi connections in the city, many malls plan to do away with their Wi-Fi service, as they consider it a threat to security. Also, those who contemplated setting up Wi-Fi service are now deliberating their decision.

Post the terror attacks, Shreesh Misra, group head, malls, Future Group, has decided against offering Wi-Fi service in their malls.

"We had planned to offer Wi-Fi services in our malls, but now, we have changed our plan. Post the terror attacks, we have beefed up our security and a Wi-Fi service is an added burden," said Misra.

Many malls, like the Mega Mall in Oshiwara, which currently offer the service, plan to discontinue it.
Amaan Faikh, CEO of M Square that manages the mall, said, "We have decided to stop the Wi-Fi service after the terror attacks."

"Security of customers is more important than making a profit," he added. According to mall experts, Wi-Fi is a value-added service and an aggressive strategy adopted by mall owners to woo more patrons.u00a0

Keep it away

Fun Republic, a multiplex in Andheri, presently does not offer Wi-Fi service, and it plans to keep it that way. "We will not provide this service even in the future. It becomes difficult to keep a track on activities," said an official.

However, a few malls, including Oberoi Mall, Goregaon, have decided to continue offering the services. "We have taken security measures to ensure the appropriate use of our Wi-Fi service. We ask users for identification proof and constantly monitor the websites they access," said Shibu Philips, business head, Oberoi Mall.

What is Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi is a popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections.
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Haywood connection
Terror mails were sent through unsecured Wi-Fi connections prior to the Delhi in September 2008, and Ahmedabad blasts in July 2008. While the mail sent before the Ahmedabad blasts was traced to the residence of US national Kenneth Haywood in Navi Mumbai, the mail sent prior to the Delhi blast was traced to a residence in Chembur. The Wi-Fi connections in both the cases were unsecured.