Nokia has entered into a partnership with prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Madras to boost broadband connectivity in rural India by leverage unlicensed spectrum. This is one of Nokia’s contribution towards Government’s ambitious Digital India program. The partnership program is 3-years long and Nokia will fund and provide technological expertise for research at IIT-M’s Center of Excellence for Wireless Technology (CEWiT).
Read the Full Press Release below,
09 February , 2016
New Delhi/Gurgaon, India – The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M), one of the country’s foremost educational institutions, has partnered with Nokia to create technology solutions that will enhance broadband connectivity in rural India. Under the 3-year partnership, Nokia will fund and provide technological expertise for research at IIT-M’s Center of Excellence for Wireless Technology (CEWiT). The project will evaluate the option of using unlicensed spectrum to deliver cost-efficient, last-mile broadband connectivity to remote rural communities in India, complementing the government’s National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) initiative.
Strengthening the foundation of ‘Digital India’
The research project aims to bridge the connectivity divide in India by broadening the reach of broadband in rural areas. As part of this research, CEWiT at IIT-M will undertake the following measures:
- Verify the feasibility of using unlicensed spectrum radio access technologies for cost-efficient, last-mile broadband connectivity
- Complement the Indian government’s ambitious plans of providing fiber optic connectivity to 230,000 gram panchayats* by providing last-mile connectivity from gram panchayats to their respective villages
- Create effective low cost rural access solutions based on Wi-Fi technology
Sandeep Girotra, Vice President and Head of India region, Nokia, said: “India is on the cusp of a digital revolution. We are really excited about this research collaboration with IIT-Madras, which will leverage its talent and innovation to drive the Indian government’s vision of empowering rural communities through broadband connectivity – an initiative that will revolutionize access to government services and the Internet.The successful implementation of this project is a key social development objective for Nokia in India.”
Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, said: “Together with Nokia, IIT-Madras, through its Centre of Excellence in Wireless Technology, will explore new avenues for getting affordable wireless broadband technology to rural India in an effort to bridge the digital divide. Our research will focus on leveraging the power of the Internet to accelerate the development of India’s rural communities, home to the vast majority of India’s population.”
