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Bangalore
September 20th, 2007
Ericsson has launched the Gramjyoti rural broadband project, an initiative to
introduce benefits of WCDMA/HSPA technology in rural India and connect
communities to high-speed internet services for the first time. The trial
project was launched in early September and will showcase the benefits of a host
of mobile broadband applications across 18 villages and 15 towns close to
Chennai.
By creating an ecosystem based on WCDMA/HSPA technology, Ericsson will
provide these communities with high-speed internet so they can access a range of
new services including: telemedicine; e-education; e-governance; online local
information; voice and video call services; and live TV and entertainment.
The initiative seeks to demonstrate how WCDMA/HSPA technology can be a major
catalyst for social and economic empowerment in this developing region to bridge
the digital divide and increase productivity and quality of life.
Based on leading global technologies such as HSPA, the trial project was
launched in early September. As part of the project, more than 3000 students at
three high schools in rural communities will have high-speed internet access and
receive e-learning courses.
Mats Granryd, MD- Ericsson India, said, "Ericsson aims to help India's
rural population get first-hand experience of broadband applications. This
project will provide communities with access to meaningful broadband services
for the first time. Building an efficient and affordable WCDMA/HSPA rural
broadband can help serve as a blueprint for the widespread introduction of
internet and broadband connectivity in the future."
He further added, "We are delighted that Department of
Telecommunications has given its support for this initiative, and we look
forward to close collaboration with our partners to further extend the
applications and help bring communications to all."
According to P Balaji, VP- Marketing and Strategy, Ericsson India, "We
chose this location because, it reflects the typical telecom profile in rural
communities that have limited or no access to fixed telephones, but are seeing
the benefits of voice communication over a mobile network. This project will
demonstrate the power of 3G by building an efficient and affordable rural
broadband network and ecosystem. "
Partners like Apollo hospitals, Hand-in-Hand, Edurite, One97, CNN and Cartoon
Network, support the Gramjyoti Project. Page(s) 1
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