Qualcomm Donates Kit to Aid Rural Internet Services

Qualcomm has announced an alliance with the NASSCOM Foundation to provide CDMA2000-based wireless Internet connectivity solutions to 65 Village Resource Centres in India. The program supports India's larger national initiative, Mission 2007, to establish 600,000 Village Resource Centres by August 15, 2007, coinciding with India's celebration of 60 years of independence.

The intiative aims to empower communities that have limited or no telecommunications access through the use of 3G technologies, which will help contribute to long-term socio-economic development. Under the scope of this alliance, NASSCOM and Qualcomm will provide connectivity and content to Village Resource Centres in the states of West Bengal; Orissa; Maharashtra; Andhra Pradesh; Karnataka; Tamil Nadu; Goa; Gujarat; and Kerala. Qualcomm, as NASSCOM's technology supporter, will provide Internet connectivity through CDMA2000 fixed wireless terminals to the Centres.

"We are honored to collaborate with the NASSCOM Foundation and participate in Mission 2007 to accelerate a knowledge revolution in India through information connectivity," said Kanwalinder Singh, president, Qualcomm India and SAARC. "Though wireless teledensity in India has grown exponentially, there is a huge disparity between urban and rural connectivity. CDMA2000 enables both voice and data, is best suited to provide comprehensive connectivity to rural India and will enable inclusive growth and development for the benefit of these underserved citizens."

"We are excited to form an alliance with Qualcomm to enrich our Rural Knowledge Network Program. We recognize the role of telecommunications in empowering societies and its positive impact on human development indicators," said Saurabh Srivastava, chairman, NASSCOM Foundation."

Posted to the site on 31st July 2006