BSNL connectivity, HCL computers and Intel chips and tech; a powerful combination

BSNL, Intel and HCL have announced they are joining hands in spreading Internet to rural areas through WiMAX. Intel and HCL are designing together WiMAX-capable nettop computers based on Intel Atom processor.

WiMAX is already piping lot of Internet traffic in India, Thanks to Tata Teleservices, Reliance and BSNL.

Intel is putting significant backend effort to boost the WiMAX penetration in India. WiMAX has helped Indian Internet user to get connected to net at high speed at reasonably low cost.
This kind high bandwidth wireless standards which is driven more by chip companies rather than telecom companies, is required for countries like India to realize the dream of PURA (Providing Urban Infrastructure in Rural Areas). The mobile-phone networks in rural India have already enabled rural Indians with communication power, thanks to BSNL for its wide rural networks.
But what is really required is, access to information like Govt. schemes, agricultural resources, a lot lot more such everyday information. A teacher sitting Delhi can teach the rural children about fundamental sciences. Educate people to take care against calamities. High-speed wireless Internet can enable all such superb benefits to rural mass. Implementation of projects like UID will be made easier with the total rural and Urban India connected.

What about systems! Well the netbook, the leaner version of notebook computer can be made available at a price of 100US$. Here's where HCL and many such companies can garner huge untapped market.

Then finally semiconductor chips, here's where India severely lags behind, India don't have an established semiconductor chip vendor who can supply processor chips for computers. If not 22 nm tech, atleast 120 nm chip fabrication facility must have utilized this opportunity.

Thanks to Intel, for its focus on India, Hope it will make exclusive SoCs (Nearly a computer on a chip) for Indian market at affordable prices.

Shri Sachin Pilot, Honorable Minister of State for Communication and IT said, "The Internet is the force that will propel India into the next decade. We commend BSNL, HCL and Intel for coming together to accelerate wireless broadband Internet availability in India. This initiative has the potential to connect millions more Indians to 21st century digital opportunity, driving national growth in the process."

"This project is a significant step in making technology more affordable and accessible to create opportunity for many more Indians," said Otellini. "Intel is pleased to work with BSNL and HCL to innovate locally and help accelerate high-speed WiMAX wireless connections and computing across the country."

According to Shri Kuldeep Goyal, Chairman and Managing Director, BSNL, "Working with Intel for WiMAX market acceleration is a milestone in bringing fast and reliable Internet connectivity to much of India. We are extending mobile WiMAX to millions of people in rural India and, in the process, will bring a whole new meaning to bridging the digital divide in this country. Ultimately our vision is to make WiMAX available across all India. We are pleased to work with Intel to make this a reality."

Shri Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman and CEO, HCL Infosystems Ltd. said, "Growth in India's economy can be accelerated and made more inclusive by providing an impetus to PC and broadband penetration in rural areas. The Intel- and HCL-designed WiMAX-capable nettop is a cornerstone of our strategy for mass adoption of connected PCs, which in turn will have a multiplier effect on the nation's GDP."