Government asks telecom technology researchers to develop low cost user equipment
	18:30 IST

The government has asked telecom technology researchers to come out with low cost end user equipment to take telephone and broadband services to rural areas. Addressing a seminar on “How India can Become a Leader in Wireless Communications” in New Delhi today, Telecom secretary Mr. Siddhartha Behura said, the hurdles of infrastructure can be tackled through technological development. Mr. Behura informed that the target is to reach telecom services to another 350 million people in the next three years. He said, R&D should also be directed towards development of alternate reliable energy resources for the Telecom sector. Eminent persons from the academia, industry and technology institutions from India and abroad attended the seminar that is being held as part of the India Telecom 2008. The two-day event marks India’s leading international conference and exhibition for the entire telecom system and is jointly organized by Department of Telecommunications and FICCI. It was opened by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh yesterday. Mr. Behura urged the Telecom Centers of Excellence (TCOEs) to identify and develop some cost effective cutting edge technologies for India specific application. He called for integration of India’s efforts with the ITU, leading universities and other such institutions worldwide. Seven Telecom Centres of Excellence have so far been instituted by the Centre in public private partnership mode for bringing in innovations and entrepreneurship in Telecom R&D. They are at various IITs, IIM Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Science Bangalore. The Telecom Secretary hoped that the telecom sector in developing countries like India, China and Brazil will contribute to the global economic recovery. The theme of India Telecom 2008 is “Connecting Rural India”. The conference covers topics like the Role of ICTs in Development, Connectivity for Rural India, e-Commerce for Rural India, Developing Market Initiatives, Innovative Technologies for Growth in Rural Area, Tele medicine/Tele education, Broadband: The Road Ahead, Mobile Entertainment etc. India telecom 2008 will have participation from policy makers, regulators, service providers, manufacturers, investors and content providers in the sector. Event highlights include - CEO's Forum and Open House on regulatory and policy Issues. Akshay rout/vk