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Sunday, Aug 16, 2009
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Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version | Audio | Blogs |
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Telecommunications Government - E-Governance Industry & Economy - Rural Development Satellite cos seek to hook up with e-governance project Thomas K. Thomas New Delhi, Aug. 15 Satellite-based communications service providers are eyeing a share of the Rs 3,320-crore e-governance project for setting up one lakh common service centres (CSCs) across 2.43 lakh villages. The project, under the Department of Information and Technology, has been affected due to lack of connectivity and reluctance on the part of private telecom players to roll out the network in the remote areas. Satellite companies such as Hughes Communications have been providing remote connectivity to some private players involved in the project. Hughes, for example, has connected more than 7,000 points until now via satellites. According to one estimate, satellite operators can offer a 256 kbps broadband connection to the panchayats identified by the DIT for around Rs 500 crore. Senior officials in the Ministry of Communications and IT admitted that the project has been delayed. “There have been slight delays due to the general slowdown and difficulties faced by some operators in raising funds, but the programme is on track. We have been working with the Department of Telecom and telecom service providers to look into the connectivity aspect,” an official said. Till now, 40,000 CSCs have been set up and the target is to reach one lakh between April and June 2010. However, some of the telecom players involved in the project have expressed concern over the lack of revenue- earning streams available to them. “The Government has to ensure that its database is online and services are made available on the broadband pipes,” said a private operator. ‘e-gov projects can kick-start IT spend’ ‘GIS must be integrated with national e-governance’ More Stories on : Telecommunications | E-Governance | Rural Development
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