Good internet connection is still considered a luxury in India. The Indian government wants to change the perception. Last year, in April, the government of India announced that all Indian citizens will enjoy free broadband service by 2009. The Indian government’s offer comes from its confidence in its service providers, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL broadband) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL broadband).
The Indian government is set out to offer 2-Mbps broadband internet connectivity to the citizens of India. The government proposes to fund this scheme by using the money generated in the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). This fund collects 5% revenue from all telecom companies operating in the country.
State-transmitted broadband scheme is already available in several municipal areas in the United States. India will need to set up the requisite infrastructure for the success of this ambitious project in the country. The Department of Telecom (DoT) will be building an optical cable network across the country. The internet service providers operating in the country will be required to connect to the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI).
It will be a great boost to the Indian economic dream if this plan of the Indian government materializes. Let’s hope it does.
