NASSCOM FOUNDATION AND DATAWIND LAUNCH PILOT ROJECT FOR PROVIDING INTERNET CONNECTIVIOTY IN RURAL INDIA

NASSCOM FOUNDATION AND DATAWIND LAUNCH PILOT ROJECT FOR PROVIDING INTERNET CONNECTIVIOTY IN RURAL INDIA

New Delhi, December 25, 2006 NASSCOM Foundation and DataWind Corporation, a Canada based leading developer of wireless web access devices and services have started a Pilot Project for providing Internet connectivity in rural areas in the country

As part of the pilot project a training and internet solution programme has been initially launched in various s states including Orissa, Andhra Pardesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra. An action plan to provide wireless internet connectivity in the rural areas to help eliminate illiteracy and poverty has been chalked out by NASSCOM Foundation.

Nasscom Foundation and Datawind had recently signed an agreement to develop and provide low cost wireless computing and internet connectivity for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based empowerment of rural India.

DataWind on its part has contributed its award winning wireless net access device, the PocketSurfer to the Nasscom Foundation for conducting its pilots to provide internet connectivity in rural areas of Orissa, Andhra Pardesh , West Bengal and Maharashtra. Esteemed organistaions Byrraju Foundation from Andhra Pradesh, UNICEF and project associate from Medhak in AP, GRASSO from West Bengal, FIDR from Orissa, SS Mandal from Maharashtra, TFTP from Karnataka and NIT from Durgapur are the various partners and participants in the project.

NASSCOM Foundation in association with UNICEF and its Non-Government Organisation Associates including GRASSO in West Bengal, Byrraju Foundation in Andhra Pardesh and FIDR in Orissa are distributing these wireless devices for benefit of the villagers.

According to Mr.Suneet Tuli, CEO, DataWind, , the company will develop and provide low cost wireless web access devices to the NASSCOM Foundation for its various ICT projects in various states in the country. The aim of the NASSCOM projects include improving the reach, enhancing base, minimize processing costs and increase transparency through electronic access of the state and district administration services to the rural areas. They are already working through their Rural Knowledge Networks who have Village Resource Centres in nine Coastal places in India.

This Pilot project will be reviewed by an expert team in the next one quarter and shall pave the way for implementing information and communication technologies at grassroots levels.

PocketSurfer, a revolutionary wireless Technology, that provides the world’s fastest and most affordable access to mobile internet for the first time in India, DataWind is ready to replicate the successful technology in product to be called the ‘SurferBox’ which will cost below Rs. Two Thousand. The SurferBox will act as an interface between a cell-phone and a TV set, thereby enabling web-access for a very-very low cost. It could also interface with a regular computer monitor.”