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  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 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.