Brief

BSNL and Intel start WiMAX Acceleration Program

HCL- Intel designed WiMAX-capable nettops to be available in coming months

BSNL, HCL and Intel have joined hands to support the Indian Government’s Bharat Nirman rural development agenda. All three players have announced a series of wide-reaching initiatives to spur economic and educational opportunities in India by expanding access to wireless broadband Internet and affordable computers.

Intel and BSNL will jointly propagate wireless broadband Internet. BSNL will also work with Intel and HCL to make available WiMAX-capable nettop computers designed by them and manufactured in India by HCL using the Intel Atom processor in rural India.

At the time of the signing of MoU to start a WiMAX acceleration program, Intel’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Otellini and Sachin Pilot, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communication and IT were present. “We commend BSNL, HCL and Intel for coming together to accelerate wireless broadband Internet availability in India. This initiative has the potential to connect millions more Indians to 21st century digital opportunity, driving national growth in the process.”

According to Kuldeep Goyal, Chairman and Managing Director, BSNL, “We are extending mobile WiMAX to millions of people in rural India and, in the process, will bring a whole new meaning to bridging the digital divide in this country. Ultimately our vision is to make WiMAX available across all India. We are pleased to work with Intel to make this a reality.”

In the next several months, BSNL and Intel will begin making available Intel- and HCL-designed WiMAX-capable nettops through BSNL’s and HCL’s retail outlets, and ultimately through Intel’s network of channel partners across India.