BSNL broadband offer subsidised PC and broadband to rural users
September 23, 2009BSNL India telecom service provider and HCL Infosystems, the IT company have teamed up to increase broadband penetration in rural India. As a part of National Broadband Penetration Program (NBPP), BSNL broadband India would give away a desk-top PC with a broadband connection to the rural users.
Rural subscribers will get this offer (broadband and PC) for Rs 399 a month, once they pay Rs 2,250 as upfront fee. The Department of Telecom (DOT) will give a subsidy of Rs 4,500 per connection to BSNL India from its Universal Services Obligation Fund. according to the report.
There are over 27,789 rural and remote BSNL telephone exchanges which will come under the scheme.
Kuldeep Goyal, CMD at BSNL said:
“This is indeed the one of the major initiatives to bridge the digital divide by offering PC + Broadband at a subsidised rates to our customers. We are delighted to partner with HCL Infosystems for this nation wide programme. The missing pie in PC and broadband proliferation was the affordability and service which are now being provided jointly by us and HCL, with support from USOF to increase desirability.”
The scheme would cost around Rs 1,500 crore the BSNL broadband users in rural areas will get free HCL service from its repair centres.
Ajai Chowdhry, chairman and CEO, HCL said:
“Today, the need to create a progressive environment of growth is more than ever before. Indian economy, in the past few years, has grown but the growth can be accelerated and made more inclusive by providing an impetus to PC and broadband penetration in rural India. This project for BSNL is in line with our strategy for mass adoption of PC + broadband to promote India’s GDP growth”
