Connectivity
Government plans to subsidise internet for rural India
June 19, 2008, The Economic Times
After having failed to meet its target of rural broadband connections, the Government of India is planning to subsidise Internet connectivity in rural areas. This subsidy is quite extensive covering 50% of the cost incurred by service providers in installing infrastructure. Running costs of Internet would cost half of the costs in urban areas. The scheme will be implemented in a phased manner and will focus on remote areas and North Eastern states.
DoT to allow niche operators in rural areas
March 27, 2008, The Business Line
Teledensity rates in rural India is still quite abysmal, the latest figures showing them to be 20 times less than that in urban areas such as Mumbai and Delhi. However, this sector has been given a fillip by the government which is now allowing niche operators to provide services in rural areas. These operators can lease the telecom infrastructure from the big telecom players and provide services to their particular area.
Assessing the digital divide: E-Governance and M-Governance in a hub and spoke model
2008, Gyanendra Narayan, The Electronic Journal on Information Systems in Developing Countries
The author discusses the role that can be played by mobile governance (m-governance) in bridging the digital divide and proposes a new model for disseminating services. The primary problems hindering the growth of the digital revolution lie in aspects such as social barriers, cost and the availability of services. The mobile phone does solve some of these issues, but cost is still a major burden in this case.
BSNL unlikely to get more from USO fund
April 1, 2008, Thomas K Thomas, The Hindu Business Line
According to this news report, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has made clear that it will not give financial support to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) from the Universal Services Obligation (USO) fund for rolling out rural phones in lieu of abolishing access deficit charge (ADC). The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had suggested that the government should finance BSNL from the USO fund to offset any impact on the telecom from the removal of ADC.
Net user base shrinks as Indians go mobile
October 6, 2007, The Economic Times
This news report presents latest statistics to show that the Internet connections in India are actually declining. Though it might sound ironic, the reasons given are convincing enough. Firstly, there has been a steep decline in dial-up connections, as broadband has been gaining prominence of late.
Broadband and governance: Empowerment or illusion?
September 19, 2007, Vickram Crishna
The communication revolution over the last 50 years has evolved from circuit switched analogue signals to packet based digital transmission. However, telephony and communication services has remained the preserve of large companies and has been based on the resource reservation paradigm. However, recent advances in packet delivery technology has spawned the possibility of developing voice and data delivery systems that move away from the traditional circuit switched model.
TRAI for immediate measures to boost broadband growth
January 3, 2008, The Hindu Business Line
According to this bureau report, The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has reiterated its stand that the government should take urgent measures to boost the usage of high speed internet in the country. The actual number of broadband users in India is much below the target set by the government, making it one among the low ranking countries based on broadband penetration.
Disaster alert!
December 24, 2007, Sandeep Sharma, Dataquest
This article discusses the vital role played by ICTs in preventing disasters like the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004. It takes a close look at the Indian National Early Warning System (NEWS) and the Sri Lankan Last Mile Warning System, both put in place in the aftermath of the Tsunami.
Spectrum Wars - Why an auction is not the solution
Decmber 26, 2007, The Hindu Business Line
Discussing 'spectrum wars' (the wireless spectrum required for connection from the user to the last network element viz., the radio base station), T. H. Chowdary, Director, Centre for Telecom Management & Studies, Hyderabad, notes that the mindset of the Indian telecommunications administrators is still ruled by the 'permit-license-quota' approach. An example given is the decision in the early nineties to allow licensees of mobile telephony to use only GSM and not any other technology.
Goa launches ambitious broadband network
December 29, 2007, Hindustan Times
The Goa government has unveiled a broadband initiative which aims to create an environment where information technology can be an enabler towards efficiency and accountability. Christened 'Goa Broadband Network', the project seeks to provide citizens services in the domains of health, education, agriculture and welfare services. The government is hoping that by also offering business services, the initiative can become commercially viable and will encourage public private partnerships towards this end.
