Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) has launched the Gramjyoti Rural Broadband Project, an initiative to introduce benefits of WCDMA/HSPA technology in rural India and connect communities to high-speed internet services for the first time.

The trial project was launched in early September and will showcase the benefits of a host of mobile broadband applications across 18 villages and 15 towns close to Chennai, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

By creating a stable ecosystem based on leading WCDMA/HSPA technology, Ericsson will provide these communities with high-speed internet so they can access a range of new services including: telemedicine; e-education; e-governance; online local information; voice and video call services; and live TV and entertainment.

The initiative seeks to demonstrate how WCDMA/HSPA technology can be a major catalyst for social and economic empowerment in this developing region, helping to bridge the digital divide and increase productivity and quality of life.

Based on leading global technologies such as HSPA, the trial project was launched in early September.  Rural Communities are the beneficiaries of the initiative. Community centres with PCs and mobiles, Mobile ambulances connected using HSPA are extending government services and tele-medicine benefits to rural communities.  As part of the project, more than 3000 students at three high schools in these communities will have high-speed internet access and receive e-learning courses.

Mats Granryd, Managing Director of Ericsson India, says: “Ericsson aims to help India’s rural population get first-hand experience of broadband applications. This pioneering project will provide communities with access to meaningful broadband services for the first time. Building an efficient and affordable WCDMA/HSPA rural broadband can help serve as a blueprint for the widespread introduction of internet and broadband connectivity in the future.”

 “We are delighted that India’s Department of Telecommunications has given its support for this initiative, and we look forward to close collaboration with our partners to further extend the applications and help bring communications to all,” Granryd says.

P Balaji, Vice President of Marketing & Strategy, Ericsson India, says: “We chose this location because, it reflects the typical telecom profile in rural communities that have limited or no access to fixed telephones, but are seeing the benefits of voice communication over a mobile network. This project will demonstrate the power of 3G by building an efficient and affordable rural broadband network and ecosystem. ”

The Gramjyoti Project is supported by partners including Apollo Hospitals, Hand In Hand, Edurite, One97, CNN and Cartoon Network. 

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