Here is some good news for the millions of Hajj pilgrims, who can now stay connected with their friends, relatives and family members courtesy the temporary deployment of WiFi mesh network covering a large part of the city of Mecca.
US-based Troops Network has installed a network of some 70 meshed routers in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is first ever pubic WiFi network for the Hajj, which is the fifth pillar of Islam and a true demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people.
The WiFi network is being managed by the Stockholm-based wireless-management software startup Aptilo Networks. The WiFi service is free. It will be operating for the next few days.
According to Islamic faith, Hajj is a religion obligation, which must be fulfilled by the Muslims at least once in their lifetime.
Nearly two million people make the pilgrimage to Mecca every year. With WiFi network, they can now access the internet service during Hajj besides accessing to the ancient Kaaba, ZamZam Well, and plains of Mount Arafat.
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