India – The Demand for Broadband
Wireless Access
The smart Insights focus
on providing a brief overview of the key
findings and best practices in the industry.
After extensive research and analysis,
smartBridges shares its insights with
its partners and customers so that they
can leverage opportunities and make more
informed decisions.
In 2004, the Indian Broadband
Policy set the target for the broadband
subscribers' base to reach 7 million by
end of 2007; however, the actual number
reached by January 2008 was only 3.1 million.
The major reason for the lower than expected
rate is the previously high cost of PCs
and lack of infrastructure.
Recently, however, due to
the low cost of entry level PCs and notebooks,
sales grew to 59% (notebooks) and 3% (desktops)
for the year 2007 – 2008. Notebooks have
emerged as a significant driver for the
PC market in India as they are now contributing
to over 21% of the total PC sales in the
country.
Due to the increase in notebook
sales, the necessity for broadband is
becoming more evident, and is only achievable
through a fully developed wired or wireless
infrastructure. In this case, a wireless
network would be more appropriate because
of its affordability, wide interoperability,
and use of unlicensed spectrum. 
For instance, the smartBridges
devices have been deployed by the Byrraju
Foundation for the Ashwini
project , which transform rural lives
by applying technology and bridging the
digital gap between the urban and rural
societies. Patients in remote areas requiring
specialized care can get treatment from
medical experts from virtually anywhere
in India or abroad. Similarly, a farmer
can have his crop monitored by an expert
from any agricultural institution. The
Ashwini Centers established in each village
provide video-conferencing and Internet
access for the rural community.
Wireless connectivity has
been the key enabler to the success of
the Ashwini project. India offers tremendous
opportunity due to the current lack of
telecommunications infrastructure and
the establishment of similar projects.
The mission of smartBridges
Foundation is also is to bridge the
digital divide by funding and deploying
wireless infrastructure in rural areas
and emerging nations.
Click here
to learn more about the Ashwini project,
or contact
us to speak with our experts if you
are planning a similar project. |
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