1. Back Ground Research Paper for INTEL-CMAI Conference on
“Broadband for Growth” on 17th April, 2009 at New Delhi
Preface ................................................................................................................................ 2
World Scenario ................................................................................................................. 3
Broadband Status in India............................................................................................... 3
FACTS ............................................................................................................................ 4
Developed Nations........................................................................................................... 4
Developing Nations ......................................................................................................... 5
Why need Broadband for India?.................................................................................... 5
Applications ...................................................................................................................... 6
VOIP: .......................................................................................................................... 6
Telemedicine: ............................................................................................................ 6
Telecommuting ......................................................................................................... 6
IPTV/Video/music/Gaming: Quality & affordable Entertainment will
become a reality through Broadband Internet. .................................................... 6
What does ITU/World says about India & some examples of Broadband around
the World? ......................................................................................................................... 6
AUSTRALIA ............................................................................................................. 7
CHINA....................................................................................................................... 7
KOREA....................................................................................................................... 8
PAKISTAN ................................................................................................................ 8
SINGAPORE ............................................................................................................. 8
Broadband Technologies................................................................................................. 8
Mobile Broadband.................................................................................................... 9
Performance Evaluation of Technologies ............................................................. 9
Broadband – Industry Challenges ............................................................................... 11
The challenges are .................................................................................................. 11
Indian Government’s Initiative/Plan.......................................................................... 11
Broadband Deployment Plan – Urban ................................................................ 11
Broadband Deployment Plan – Rural ................................................................. 12
Universal Services Obligation (USO) subsidy support scheme ...................... 12
TRAI Initiatives for Broadband.................................................................................... 12
STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR BROADBAND GROWTH ......................................... 13
Outlines for Panel Discussions......................................................................................... 14
In summary ..................................................................................................................... 15
Some Discussion points for the panel: ................................................................ 15

2. Preface
The affordable access to the broadband internet is an imperative need towards the future of
India’s economic growth. The access to better education, better health & a life enriched with
opportunity is a fundamental right. Electronic and knowledge connectivity leads to economic
connectivity leading to an inclusive growth across all sections of society. The role & value of ICT
(Information & Communication Technology) can have in changing the trajectory & having a
multiplier effect on social and economic growth is well understood. However the true challenge
in adopting technology is to ensure that it has a certain resonance & relevance to the broad citizen
base through ease of use, connectivity to information & lastly affordable access.
Internet is the game changer; it is what electricity was in the 20th century. Internet is the gateway
to individual as well as national knowledge, entertainment, services, wellbeing, opportunity and
ultimately socio-economic growth. Further, pervasive broadband is imperative to effective
internet access, given the overall evolution of the internet and its contents.
The Government has laid out a 5-1-1 vision (500M Internet users, 100M broadband connections,
and 100M broadband enabled devices) in conjunction with key stakeholders and the entire eco-
system to jumpstart access to knowledge and change the economic trajectory. The impact of this
vision on the economy is huge. Broadband & access to the internet has the potential to deliver
$180B output growth over 10 years, i.e., $18B per year. Several studies conclude that in slack
economies, more broadband means more jobs.
The Brookings Institution, a think-tank in Washington, DC, projects that for every percentage
point increase of broadband penetration at state level, employment increases by 0.2% to 0.3% per
year, equivalent to 300,000 jobs nationally. (Source Intel’s Research paper)
There have been several initiatives by the Government for promotion of telecom and broadband.
India has already achieved 2nd highest position in the world for Telecom penetration and highest
growth per month to the extent of 10-15 million subscribers.
However, the progress of broadband is yet to replicate the story of telecom growth, despite
excellent potential and a favorable government policy. There is a need brainstorming for
accelerating the growth by bringing together stakeholders, not only from telecom, but also from
education, health, industry and State Governments.
It ha also been observed that broadband ICT demand is income inelastic, making it potentially
affordable for each citizen of the country.
Most analysts see no reason why growth in India will not continue to grow and add more
Telecom subscribers unabated despite worldwide financial crisis: This underlines the fact that
more focus needs to be given so that growth can be channelized for over all inclusive Growth for
Indian Society at large!

3. World Scenario
It is estimated that more than 1.1 bill of world’s estimated 6.6 bill people are ONLINE and almost
a third of those about 300 Mill. are accessing internet on high speed lines. The number of
broadband subscribers worldwide will nearly double over the next five years to more than half a
billion, according to research analysis firm In-Stat. The numbers of subscriber’s world over are
expected to rise from present 285 Millions to 567 Millions by 2012. By that time, 58% of all
broadband connections will be delivered via DSL. Nearly 10% will be delivered via fiber-to-the-
home. Today, however, about 92% of broadband connections come through either DSL or cable.
Mr. David Emberley from Telecom Equipment, IDC 20th August, 2007 stated "Increasing
broadband adoption, service provider rollout of triple-play offerings (including IPTV), the
deployment of next-generation wireless networks, and the ongoing migration of voice networks
from TDM to packet architecture will drive growth in network equipment sales to service
providers from $88.9 billion in 2006 to $109.8 billion in 2011”
It is estimated that a 7 percent increase in broadband adoption would create 2.4 million jobs
across the U.S., would save $662 million in health-care costs and $6.4 billion in vehicle mileage,
among other savings, according to the study, released by Connected Nation, a nonprofit group
focused on improving broadband adoption across the U.S. It will have $134 billion economic
impact and 2.4 Mn. jobs.
Broadband Status in India
Govt. of India and Hon’ble Union Minister in his 10- Point agenda also declared Broadband
coverage for all secondary and higher secondary schools & public health care centers by the year
2007. Total plan of Rs. 24,160 Crores for 1, 81,520 schools. First phase 50% of schools ie. 90,760.
Broadband target by 2010 is 20 million. India has achieved only around 26% of the target (Dec,
07).
MTNL and BSNL ( 10 lacs in 1,035 cities) are leading the broadband growth in the country. BSNL
has a market share of 53% (Dec, 07). BSNL has 1.4 million subscriber at the start of 2008 and
MTNL had 0.5 million, as it covers on Delhi & Mumbai. {Statistics are based on BSNL/MTNL
2008 annual reports]
BSNL is planning 100 Mill. Mobile phones and 18 Mill Broadband subscribers by 2010.
UT Starcom, ZTE and Siemens have recently signed a contract from BSNL to deploy 1.3 million broadband
lines across 900 cities in the country for about Rs 900 crore.
In a bid to boost broadband penetration in the country, the Department of Telecom has also
decided to extend support from the Universal Services Obligation Fund to operators offering

4. broadband services in rural areas. This is in addition to the earlier decision to support cellular
telephone infrastructure in the villages through the USO Fund.
FACTS
o Internet subscribers 12.85 Mn., Internet Mobile 31.30 Mn.
o 5.52 million Broadband connections
o Broadband policy announced in October 2004.
o Broadband has been defined as ‘Always on’ data connection
o 20 Million Broadband subscribers expected by 2010
o About 50-60% connections envisaged from Public sector companies BSNL/MTNL
o Balance to come from private sector service providers
A minimum of 256 kbit/s always on connection is the definition of broadband in India. However
recently it has been under planning to increase the speed to a minimum of 2 Mbit/s as in other
countries. Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs), especially the Pubic Sector Companies are now
offering speeds up to 2 Mbit/s. In recent times, private players too have started offering 2 Mbps
and above. Bharti even started offering 16 Mbp/s during April, 2009 on selective basis through
usage of Optical Fiber cables and advanced ADSL technologies.
BSNL, Sify, MTNL, STPI, Airtel, Netcom, Reliance Communications and Hathway are some of
the major ISPs in India. The current preferred mode of Broadband provision is through Copper
(ADSL Technologies). Broadband in India has very recently picked up and the rates too have
gone down thanks to active infrastructure development works been carried out by companies
and aggressive marketing. Yet, it has a long way to go when compared to Indian Mobile Market
scenario, which has the lowest tariff in the world.
Developed Nations
Studies in developed nations have repeatedly established that broadband networks drive
economic growth and development, and provide a platform for addressing social issues such as
health care and education.
On the national level, one study found that ubiquitous broadband deployment
across the U.S. would produce as much as $460 billion in economic growth per year. Estimates
made by Accenture in 2003 suggest broadband could contribute $500 billion to GDP in the United
States and as much as $400 billion in Europe. The nationwide impact of broadband begins in
communities and individual businesses, where research has repeatedly identified positive effects
including greater productivity and rapid employment growth.
One study estimated that for every percentage point increase in broadband penetration in a
particular area, employment would increase 0.2 to 0.3 percentage points per year. Another study

5. found that from 1998 to 2002, U.S. communities that were among the early adopters of mass-
market broadband experienced more rapid growth in employment and number of businesses in
IT-intensive sectors. Internet business solutions have enabled private companies in the U.S. to
save $155 billion and have helped companies in France, Germany and the UK increase revenues
$79 billion.4 A survey of more than 2,000 businesses across the U.S. found that Internet business
solutions had already resulted in a net gain of almost $600 billion by 2001 and would add .3
percentage points to future productivity growth through 2011.
Developing Nations
In developed nations, broadband penetration levels often rise above 30%, while in many
developing nations, high-speed Internet access is virtually unknown or so expensive that it is out
of reach of nearly all citizens and businesses. Globally, all but about 1% of broadband users are
located in developed nations. In 2007, broadband penetration was 5% worldwide, but fixed
broadband penetration was just 1% in Africa, compared to 10% across the Americas and 16% in
Europe.
Why need Broadband for India?
With over 70% of population being rural, geography being often rugged in large parts with very
little or no telecommunication infrastructure and with literacy rate of just 65% coupled with
billions of aspirations of people, a strong social and physical network is a must for better
facilitation of knowledge and information amongst the people and their community for their
growth and development.
A broadband society is a prosperous and a happy society!
In a country with cultural, linguistic and geographic diversity, it is definitely not an easy task
especially when diplomacy, technology, market & regulatory issues interplay.
Within India, internet use is for following applications/use:
o 91% of people use internet for email,
o 30% as social media platform,
o 72% for job search
o 49% for information search
o 70% for chat

6. Applications
In an era of advanced technologies and concepts like Next Generation Networks, Convergence,
Web 2.0, IPv6, MPLS, triple play etc. description of applications may not be absolute, as the
boundaries gets blurred due to convergent affects. Nevertheless, here are some applications:
VOIP: packet based Voice Over IP is a cost effective way of making calls having quality at
almost at par with current telecom Quality of Service standard.
Telemedicine: The availability of video and high speed data transfer shall allow the patient
to consult doctors. This will be a boon for people in far flung remote areas as well as people in
cities.
Telecommuting: With wireless broadband and Cloud Computing Applications, it will
become easier for people to work while being mobile and out of office.
IPTV/Video/music/Gaming: Quality & affordable Entertainment will become a reality
through Broadband Internet.
What does ITU/World says about India & some examples
of Broadband around the World?
“India has more or less maintained its position in the index, ranking 118th in 2007 (in 2002, it was 117th).
While it has somewhat improved on the access sub-index (for example, mobile cellular penetration has
increased sharply, from 1 to 20 per cent), it still has very limited band with per Internet user, and low home
computer and Internet penetration rates. Mobile broadband was virtually non-existent in 2007 and fixed
broadband use was very limited. On the skills sub-index, however, India has increased all indicator
values.” ITU
India stands at 118th position (down from 117th position in 2002) at ICT Development Index
ranking where Sweden tops the list followed by Korea, Denmark, The Netherlands and Japan
and US at 12 & 17 respectively.

7. o ICT Development Index: 2002-2007 (table-snapshot view)
AUSTRALIA
"The single biggest infrastructure decision in the country's history," says Australian Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd after announcing Broadband Project on 7th April, 2009.
The goal is to get 90 percent of homes and business up to 100Mbps speeds with fiber optic
connection, with a 12Mbps wireless / satellite for the rest. Up to 49 percent of the funds will be
from the private sector; the Government will initially invest A$4.7b, while A$20b will come from
a national infrastructure fund and the sale of bonds. The venture is expected to take seven to
eight years, and the Government intends to sell off its stake after five years.
CHINA
China has risen from 90th rank in 2002 to 73rd in 2007 and thus became top 10 economies in terms
of improving its IDI rank. By providing services at relatively low cost, the Country has been able
to connect millions to ICTs.
Reasons for China’s relatively high broadband penetration include its rapid economic
development which has raised incomes, enabling more people to afford ICT services which were
earlier more of a luxury item. The growth is also due to growing manufacturing sector for low
cost hardware enabling people to buy low cost feature rich handsets and companies to afford
telecommunication equipment like modems, cables, antennae, fiber optic etc.
China along with countries like Korea, Japan has shown that the development of content in local
language and character sets is very much possible. The Country has currently 1.5 million local
websites.

8. Japan & South Korea are world leaders in Broadband penetration, application and usage of
advanced technologies like WiBro, HSPA etc. with LTE launching by the end of 2010.
KOREA
They have set example in broadband with 100% homes broadband connected. More than 50%
have 50 Mbps and higher speed. The applications have been strong strength of Korea, where by a
Government directive all home work to students, all public utility services like electricity, water,
ration card, identification cards, reservations, etc. are compulsorily on net. There was special
focus on manpower development and provision of computers to each home at most subsidized
rates.
PAKISTAN
One of the Flagship countries for WIMAX technology to use it for its rural and urban
communications needs.
Broadband WIFI in SINGAPORE
InfoComm Development Authority in conjunction with operators iCell, QMax and the
incumbent SingTel, the country has blanketed its population with 7,200 hotspots. The initiative,
called Wireless@SG, was developed in 2006 and now has about 850,000 users who access the
network for at least three hours per month to surf the net, send and receive email and access
social networking sites.
Unique thing is that the operators provide the service (which is interoperable among all three
carriers) to consumers for free for three years. The goal is to build usage and interest. After the
three-year period, the operators may charge a minimal fee for the service or generate revenue
from value-added applications.
Broadband Technologies
There are various Broadband Technologies which can cater to the needs and requirements of
different people for different applications.
The traditional (fixed based) and more prevalent technologies in use are:
STANDARD PEAK DATA RATE
ADSL 2 + 24 Mbps
(wire line)
Fiber Optics, FTTC / Ethernet 100 – 1Gbps
Wi-fi 802.11b 11 Mbps

9. However, the competition and focus is moving towards Broadband Wireless Access technologies.
A comparison chart is given below for upcoming and future technologies for reference &
discussion purposes:
Mobile Broadband
India may be far behind on achieving target of 18 Mn PC internet based subscribers (out of total
30 Mn. PCs) and 9 Mn broadband subscribers by 2007 end, yet internet on mobile is fast catching
up. Internet based revenue jumped from $ 150 Mn to $ 700 Mn. during last two years and is
expected to reach $ 3.9 Bn by 2010. Currently India has 31 Mn. Mobile internet users compared to
450 Bn globally. By 2011 India will have second highest in world mobile internet users of over 50
Mn against the expected global base of 1 Bn.
Performance Evaluation of Technologies
Technologies
HSPA+ WIMAX LTE WIMAX UMB
(High Speed Packet (Long Term (Ultra Mobile
Access) (802.16e) Evolution) (802.16M) Broadband)
(Worldwide (M Version)
Interoperability
for Mobile
Technical Access)
Parameters
Frequency 900 700,2300, 700,850,900, Under 6GHz 450,700,850,
Bandwidth 2500,3300, 1800,1900, (TBD) 1700,1900,
(in MHz) 3500,3700 2100,2500 1700,1900,
2100,2500
Channel 5 MHz 3.5-10 MHz 1.25-20 MHz 5MHz- 1.25-20 MHz
Bandwidth 40MHz
Channel DL:28Mbps DL:23Mbps DL:277 Mbps DL:>350 DL:288
Throughpu UL:11Mbps UL:4Mbps UL: 75Mbps Mbps(4*4) Mbps
t (5Mhz (10MHz (20MHz UL:>200 UL:50Mbps
Channel Channel,3* bandwidth,4* Mbps(2*4) (20MHz
2*2) 1) 4 MIMO) Bandwidth,
4*4 MIMO)
Latency 50ms <100ms 10ms 10ms -14.3ms
Radio WCDMA OFDMA OFDMA OFDMA OFDMA
Technology
Antenna MIMO and MIMO and MIMO and MIMO and MIMO and
Technology Advanced Advanced Advanced Advanced Advanced
Antenna Antenna Antenna Antenna Antenna
Techniques Techniques Techniques Techniques Techniques
Core ATM/IP Flat, All IP Flat, All IP Flat, All IP Flat, All IP
Technology
WCDMA: Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (PHY)
OFDMA: Orthogonal Frequency Multiple Access (PHY)

10. MIMO: Multiple Input Multiple Output (Diversity)
Future Upgrade to the following Technologies:
Source: ITU, IEEE
GSM through GPRS currently offers mobile internet. It is often clubbed together as 2.5 G, with
EDGE an advanced version of GPRS.
Wimax 802.16 d is the fixed version of BWA which is currently under deployment and in
operation in some parts of the Country. Wimax 802.16 e is the mobile version of the technology
which shall only come into operation once the auction of 2.5, 3.3-3.5 Ghz bands take place.
BSNL/MTNL have, however started the services (3G-WCDMA) as spectrum around 2.1 GHz for
the technology has been made available to them.
HSPA (Advanced 3G) is the next step towards achieving 4G. It is complementary to 3G and can
only come into operation once 3G (WCDMA / EVDO) come into operation once the spectrum in
the band of 2.1 Ghz gets auctioned.
LTE, an OFDM based 3GPP standard technology is not in operation in the world currently.
However, trials are taking place and LTE based networks could be seen by the end of 2010. It is
considered to be a next step of 3G (WCDMA)-HSPA networks.

11. Broadband – Industry Challenges
Internet penetration in India remains low because PCs are still costly, last mile connectivity is a
problem and electric power in most parts of Country is non existent. ISPs hardly have any
solution to these. It is understood that 100$ PC is technology ready but is awaiting large scale roll
out.
The challenges are:
Low Personal Computer (PC) penetration
9 million broadband targets of 2007 could not be achieved.
High bandwidth price. Bandwidth price in India are stated to be over
1,000 times than China, South Korea.
Lack of adequate content
Lack of competition among broadband service providers
Last mile connectivity issue
Poor power availability in rural areas
Poor quality of very old copper loops
Under developed Content Industry
Limited availability of Customer premise equipment (CPE)
Lack of interactive, user friendly, regional based applications for mass
usage
Delay in auction of BWA Spectrum
Indian Government’s Initiative/Plan
Broadband Deployment Plan – Urban
Broadband deployment on ADSL
To use more than 25 million existing copper loops in 1800 Towns/cities
To use existing 100 million Cable TV network in all major Towns/cities
Broadband for all Secondary Schools & Public Health care centers

12. Broadband Deployment Plan – Rural
Broadband deployment in 20,000 rural Telephone Exchanges on ADSL covering more
than 25,000 villages
Broadband on wireless through Wi-Max in 1000 Blocks covering 30,000 villages
To set up 100,000 Common Service Centers (CSC) in Villages
Universal Services Obligation (USO) subsidy support scheme
Universal support obligation (USO) subsidy for shared wireless infrastructure in rural
areas
Support for 8,000 Towers by 2007
Subsidy for 10,000 additional Towers by 2010
Aim to provide wireless connectivity for Broadband and Mobile services in rural areas
TRAI Initiatives for Broadband
Trai recently came out with a consultation paper on broadband in which various stakeholders
participated. Intel, the leading chip maker offered following comments to TRAI:
Intel Corporation is the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer and a leader in technical
innovation. Intel is also a leading manufacturer of communications and networking chips and
equipment. Continuing Intel’s long history of technological innovation, Intel is currently
pursuing the latest technological advances by working with more than 100 standards and
industry groups worldwide.
Intel believes that widespread deployment of broadband services can bring tremendous benefits
to society. Therefore, Intel is working on initiatives worldwide. For example, the Intel World
Ahead Program is committed to developing sustainable technology for the next billion users in
emerging countries around the world. The pillars of this program are greater accessibility and
connectivity to broadband, quality education, and localized content and services.
Intel also has a longstanding interest in promoting public policies that foster broadband
deployment. Intel strongly supports technology neutral policies regarding the allocation of
spectrum. Intel believe that a “technology and service neutral” approach to spectrum
management is one of the best methods to foster geographical coverage of broadband and
addressing the social and economic digital divide. Intel also believe the best way to reduce
barriers to innovation, investment and competition is for regulators to give licensees more
flexibility to use the technology of their choice (aka technology neutrality) and provide the
service they think will best serve their consumers (aka regulatory or service flexibility). Indian
consumers and society will be better served by allowing carriers more technology and service
choice.

13. Intel believe that in order to be successful in increasing the BB penetration in the country, one
must create a public policy environment to enable public benefit beyond what is currently being
addressed by the government and service providers under the various schemes and programs.
Intel urge the usage of USO Fund to be deployed judiciously and expeditiously for ushering in
the benefits of high speed broadband wireless access and voice for the rural masses. There are
several studies which correlate a nation’s GDP with its tele density and broadband penetration.
While India is the fastest growing telecom market in the world adding 10-15 millions of mobile
subscribers’ month over month, the picture is abysmally low on the broadband front. Intel,
therefore, recommend that the Government enable immediate assignment of low cost spectrum
in 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 700 MHz band to service providers for the deployment of BWA, provide
additional spectrum in these bands for BWA, take steps to boost the overall BWA eco-system so
that people at large, in India’s hinterland have access to high speed internet, updated information
and best global practices.
Intel supports the TRAI recommendation that the fund be directly managed by the USOF
organization, and not routed through the budgetary process of the Union Government.
Intel recommends that the funds be allowed to be used for all the elements of a broadband
network needed to supply complete connectivity to the end users.
Additionally, Intel would encourage that the selection of vendors for the rural broadband build
out be done using the best known principals of fairness and transparency. One such method is
using reverse actions which have proven to be quite effective in the past.
Intel also recommend that ‘self sustainability’ be considered as in integral part of the rural
broadband build out to ensure longer term viability of the program without the need for further
funding from USOF.
STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR BROADBAND GROWTH
One of the foundations for emerging stronger from a downturn is to invest in areas that focus on
improving a country’s productivity and competitiveness. We all realize the need to stimulate
growth in labour and growth intensive sectors such as physical infrastructure and small and
medium enterprises, to boost the economy. Similarly, investments in National Information
Infrastructure and Human Capital Development (together known as Digital Infrastructure) will
have a positive impact on employment generation, building efficiencies into our system,
productivity and innovation. The importance of this is more relevant for a young nation like
India, with a large population base under the age of 25 years, more than for others.
Additionally, global studies have shown a strong linkage of information technology adoption
and emergence of an energy efficient economy. With the cost of energy expected to go up in the
coming times, encouraging IT based investment today in traditional industries like power grids,
logistics & transportation etc., that are not yet IT enabled, will go a long way in reducing our per
capita spend on power. This will help save precious foreign exchange as well as hasten our
journey towards being one of the top economies.

14. However, Digital Infrastructure adoption, as measured by PC consumption and broadband
subscriber base, has been impacted significantly in the last two months, with the recent
downturn. IDC forecasts reduction in PC consumption by 15.5% for calendar year 2009. Our
broadband subscriber base is minimal, at 5.5 million for a country of our size and potential.
Therefore, we believe the recommendations for strengthening of Physical infrastructure must be
augmented by strengthening of the Digital infrastructure
Outlines for Panel Discussions
As India makes significant economic strides, the internet is fast emerging as a defining step in
education, communication, business and entertainment. Internet usage in India is growing at a
rapid pace and consumers today view it as transformational and life-changing. The future is here
but it is unevenly distributed. We in India make up almost a fifth of the world’s population but
only a fraction of that is connected to the internet.
With a population of one billion, India is certainly a society of complex structures, diverse
groups, strong religious beliefs and a strong cultural heritage. What does the internet mean for all
the different Indias?
India’s strength lays in its demographics- a good 50% under the age of 30 who are
entrepreneurial, talented and ambitious. A strong mainstream education system is
complemented by a rich and diverse skill base. Some of these skills are unique to India, practiced
and perfected by a few who haven’t had the opportunity to access new markets or more modern
business practices.
The fastest way to enable inclusive growth in the country is to connect citizens to information,
ideas, people, capital & services. This will change business, markets, work and life as we know it
today.
For example even when you look at mainstream education – 87% of schools are in rural India.
16% have a teacher or less and about a 25% of the teachers have not studied beyond grade 10.
While we would love to correct this and immediately it is safe to assume that it is unrealistic.
However something more realistic and achievable is connecting the more qualified teachers to
the schools that need them. The picture in health care and govt to citizen services are similar .It is
here that connectivity could play a significant role.
Over 50 million people in India are enjoying the benefits of the internet- It has made life and
business more sustainable and predictable. It is critical that the 950 million are not left behind-
We need to do it faster than its happening today to harness benefits of a young and energetic
nation.
This is going to take a an effort of sizeable scale and need many of us to pull together and in the
same direction , It need the PC and communications industry , the content players, the telecom
industry , and of course the government to innovate and over come economic , social and
language barriers.

15. In summary
We need to connect Citizens to information ideas, and opportunities.
We need to connect entrepreneurs to capital and larger markets
We need to strengthen the fundamentals
We need to give every one an equal voice in a participative democracy
What should the audience take away from the panel discussion?
Internet adoption Is relevant, and they believe is attainable
That the internet does redistribute wealth and well being
That it is at the foundation of achieving break through in the things that matter to this country
And that it is about people and not technology
Collaboration is key
Some Discussion points for the panel:
India has a history of Skill & entrepreneurship: How can we scale our history of entrepreneurship
(artisans to entrepreneurs) to fuel grounds up economic growth?
There is latent Energy: India’s huge energy in youth- how can the Internet bring democracy of
Information for competitiveness. Increased Employability.
Confidence & Self Belief is high: What can the internet do for the children who are part of the
education system and for those who are not?
But Need to create opportunity: equal opportunity - panel to establish social and economic
impact in personalized, hard-hitting fashion manner.
Discuss pockets of successes and innovation around connectivity from personal
experience/observations that help to solve real problems (health, judiciary, grievance addressal
etc)
There is National consensus on the fact that Broadband is critical for future economic and social
growth: panel to discuss role of government to create awareness amongst various constituents of
society as a key infrastructure development item.
The government is now focused on the education sector with GDP investments growing year on
year. What are the panel’s recommendations/thoughts on making Broadband integral to
education delivery and access in India?
There is acceptance that collaboration amongst industry and industry bodies is key to drive
Broadband momentum. What steps should be taken to make this a reality?

16. Prepared by Research Team led by Mr. Mehul Bhandari & Ms. Sarbani Dasgupta
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