MEDIA RELEASE PR41986
Internet Society and Digital Empowerment Foundation Launch Initiative To Bring the Next Billion Online
DELHI, India, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
The Internet Society, in partnership with the Digital Empowerment
Foundation (DEF), today announced a joint initiative - "Empowering
Communities through Wireless Connectivity" - designed to get India's rural
communities connected. The programme includes wireless connectivity workshops
and the deployment of wireless mesh networks in 4 states.
The aim of the programme is to reduce the digital divide in India by
enabling Internet access in rural areas. In addition, it is designed to
stimulate the creation content, product and services originating from rural
areas. This will enhance linguistic and cultural diversity, help build the
rural economy and bring the next billion online.
Despite its 700 Million fixed and mobile phone subscribers, there is a
significant difference between urban and rural areas in India. The Internet
divide between the haves and the have-nots is even wider, to some extent
because deploying a traditional communications infrastructure is often not
economically viable for either service providers or subscribers. However,
wireless technologies have much to offer in delivering cost-effective
connectivity down to the last house in a village.
"The Internet Society is built on the belief that access to the Internet
drives innovation, opportunities for education and economic prosperity,"
commented Jon McNerney, Internet Society Chief Operating Officer. "Through
this initiative, even villages where houses do not have connecting roads can
have access to the Internet. The Internet Society approach is to create a
sustainable environment by simultaneously deploying infrastructure and
training the communities to use it."
The initiative will deploy five wireless mesh based community networks in
rural locations across India, starting with Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh),
followed by Tura in Garo Hills (Meghalaya), Tilonia in Ajmer (Rajasthan),
Kolhapur (Maharashtra) and Tehri (Uttarakhand) over the next twelve months.
Wireless Mesh Networks are well suited for this environment as each node in
the network is configured to connect with other nearby nodes in a mesh
arrangement. This allows a higher up-time for the network as network traffic
is routed automatically around non functioning nodes. This arrangement also
allows the networks to achieve extended reach.
Communities are empowered by means of a structured "Train the Trainer"
programme that equips participants with the information they need to design,
deploy and operate wireless networks, and to train community members in their
deployment and operation.
"Internet connectivity is a basic need of the citizens of India," added
Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Member of Parliament, Guna, Madhya Pradesh and
Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce and Industry for India when he was
informed of the developmental initiative. "The establishment of a wireless
Internet infrastructure in Chanderi is a great step forwards and I am happy
to extend all support for its sustainability as member of Parliament of the
area."
The Internet Society is an international organisation dedicated to
ensuring the open development, evolution and use of the Internet for the
benefit of people throughout the world. DEF works in the domain of ICT and
Digital Content enablement at the grassroots level. DEF and the Internet
Society, in association with NIXI (National Internet Exchange of India), are
also working at the Panchayat level in India to bring digital inclusion to
the last mile governance level where citizens are directly linked with the
government.
About the Internet Society
The Internet Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1992 to
provide leadership in Internet related standards, education, and policy. With
offices in Washington, D.C., and Geneva, Switzerland, it is dedicated to
ensuring the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet for the
benefit of people throughout the world. More information is available at:
DEF
SOURCE: The Internet Society
CONTACT: Osama Manzar of DEF
osama@defindia.net
or Anya Chambers
+1-224-321-0378
chambers@isoc.org
or Rajnesh D. Singh
singh@isoc.org
both of The Internet Society
NEWS 
