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Soma University: Investing in the people of India

Bharat Sanchar Nigam, Ltd (BSNL), India’s state-owned and largest telecommunications company, and SOMA Networks, Inc., a leading provider of WiMAX solutions, today announced the commercial launch of “BSNL Wireless Broadband” service in the state of Gujarat. Broadband connectivity means high-speed, always on, Internet access, in homes and offices. What is special about this wireless service is that it can reach even those places where there is no wired infrastructure. India has low Internet penetration of around 4.9% (compared with 68% in the US), while broadband penetration is even lower, at less than half a percent.  This service will aim to significantly improve India’s broadband tele-density.

BSNL’s wireless broadband initiative is the country’s most significant telecom project, instituted towards realizing the Indian Government’s broadband mandate of installing 20 million connections by 2010. Broadband is an enabler for many services and can help reduce health care costs, improve education, and enhance the reach of Government services to the public.

Mr. M. Sahu, Gujarat’s Principal Secretary of Industry and Mines, said, “Our Chief Minister has termed the 21st century as the Age of Knowledge, and for it to spread – to allow a free flow of thoughts and exchange of ideas – connectivity is important, connectivity that is not limited by wires, and that is why this technology is being heralded by Gujarat. We look at it as an important part of our industrial development infrastructure. We look at it as part of the societal fibre to connect people, to help them work together, and put Gujarat at the forefront of economic development.”

Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) is the first enterprise to benefit from this service in Gujarat. GIDC will make this service available to industries housed in their estates, and will also use this service in their own administrative offices.

The Indian Government has also underlined the mandate to provide broadband coverage to all secondary schools, public health care centers and Village Panchayats (Local Rural Bodies) by the end of 2009.

“We are extremely pleased that the people of Gujarat are the first to benefit from this ambitious wireless broadband project,” said Mr. Satya Pal, Chief General Manager, BSNL Gujarat Telecom Circle. “BSNL’s service is not just for the urban elites, but will connect India’s underserved population with the same high-quality broadband experience, but without the wait and without the wires.”