One for Bharat Nirman

In a huge initiative HCL, Intel and

BSNL forged an alliance to expand the reach of broadband to rural

areas. The initiative seeks to open up and spur educational and

economic opportunities for the unreached. Another attempt at bridging

the digital

divide? Maybe. But at least this one has a name. Infact three big

ones. This is perhaps the first time that three giants have come

together in a public private partnership. But the real

differentiating factor shall only emerge as the plan progresses.

However, this alliance looks like it is

going beyond the act of CSR.Intel and BSNL will flag off by

propagating wireless broadband internet which they think shall bloom

into a nation wide mobile WiMax network. While that sounds too

ambitious, we can only wait to see

how it happens.

The

partnership shall also see the

three working together to create WiMax capable Nettop color="#000000"> size="3">computers

designed by the two companies and made in India by HCL using the

Intel Atom processor.

The initiative was launched by Sachin

Pilot and the much coveted systems that are touted to make technology

affordable and available are expected to be rolled out in the coming

few months. BSNL over time, is expected to roll out size="3"> a

mobile WiMAX network based on IEEE 802.16e specifications in the 2.5

GHz frequency band, in both rural and urban areas. Initial

deployments will be in Kerala and Punjab.

In tandem, Intel is set to help

manufacturers provide WiMAX-capable nettops, netbooks, notebooks and

smartphones for the BSNL network.

The

netbooks and systems will also see

a collaborative go to market approach and shall be made available at

BSNL and HCL retail outlets and also be marketed through Intel's

channel partners.Yes, it all sounds good. And so far all

things appear like the three are brothers in arms! Lets hope it ends

up doing some Bharat Nirman as well.