(1 September 2008 2:00 pm)

NEW DELHI: A movement has been launched in the country to bring the government, industry associations and private enterprises together to mobilise people, resources and infrastructure that will connect citizens to information, ideas, people, capital and services through broadband, leading to overall development and future success.

Communications and Information Technology Minister A Raja, who launched the ‘Connected Indians’ movement, initiated by Intel India, said that he had earlier this year outlined his digital vision for India at the World Congress of IT (WCIT) in Kuala Lumpur: 500 million Indians connected to the Internet and its unlimited opportunities, with more than 100 million broadband connections, and 100 million broadband- enabled devices by 2012.

He said ‘Connected Indians’ movement will spur effective broadband deployment which in turn will directly contribute to the country’s competitiveness. This rapid technological change will ensure India’s future success.

Speaking on the occasion, Intel South Asia Managing Director of the Sales and Marketing Group, R. Sivakumar said: “Intel recognizes that the Internet is capable of transforming lives and the future of our country. At the same time we also recognize that there is an urgent need for industry and government to collaborate to enable people to connect to the Internet.”

The Intel Atom processor was launched earlier this year to enable an emerging class of affordable Internet-centric devices called Netbooks and Nettops. Intel today further announced a range of affordable devices which are expected to be available in the market over the next several months starting from Rs. 5000. These devices will leverage existing displays and enable new users to experience the internet and its endless opportunities.

BSNL has committed its efforts to accelerate broadband internet in India to help bridge the digital divide. To this end, Intel and BSNL have announced a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding which will jointly propagate broadband internet across the country along with wireless solutions such as WiMAX to enable inclusive economic growth in India . At appropriate times Cisco and BSNL will jointly promote the business and technology advantages of WiMAX to corporations and enterprises.

Intel and BSNL will work together to evolve a set of basic standards for building WiMax rollout and applications in India and develop a pilot WiMax solution specifically for rural markets. Intel will provide help set up a proof of concept lab for Wimax and other wireless broadband technologies and include BSNL in any certification/verification programs. Intel and BSNL will also jointly undertake co-marketing programs to promote BSNL’s connectivity and content services.

A website MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.connectedindian.com" claiming to be www.connectedindians.com has also been launched where people can log on and support the movement.

Various industry bodies such as The Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and the WiMax Forum have endorsed this movement.

NIIT will lend support to this movement through its reach to proliferate the benefits of Internet education to citizens through a special course on Internet education and PC fundamentals which will be made accessible at NIIT centres throughout the country. NIIT will also open up its centres across India to allow people to walk in and go through an introductory module on eLearning and the Power of the Internet. The first 10,000 citizens can avail of this eLearning module for free. NIIT’s faculty is committed to this initiative to impart Internet education and facilitate an introductory Internet experience.

Tata Communications and Tata Teleservices will collaborate with Intel in a strategic co-marketing program to make broadband and Internet solutions pervasive. They will, through their range of connectivity solutions also work with Intel to create awareness amongst citizens on the benefits of the Internet and what it can enable. This joint initiative will cover approximately 100 cities and towns across the length and breadth of the nation over the next few months. This program will cover the entire spectrum of connectivity solutions and range of devices based on Intel processors including the new Intel Atom Processor based Netbooks and Nettops. Google, Reliance Communications, Croma and Tata Indicom have also pledged their support to this cause.

The ‘Connected Indians’ movement will continue to build momentum with more and more partners joining the cause to accelerate broadband adoption, a series of public outreach activities and more affordable devices for the consumer.