Though the government has identified broadband and mobile networks as the backbone for the project, he said the industry would have to improve the processes, remove capacity constraints and adopt efficient operational models by leveraging emerging technologies such as cloud, social media, analytics and mobility.

"We should replicate countries like Brazil, China and Singapore in creating Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) zones across cities and villages by roping in thousands of start-ups willing to take risks.

"We also need to create an enabling ecosystem for allowing young entrepreneurs to chip in. If we support them with proactive policies and incubators, they can create cutting-edge solutions," Bhasin observed.

The project, estimated to cost a whopping 1 lakh crore (1 trillion) will transform the country into a digitally empowered and connected knowledge economy.

Citing India's ranking in a UN survey on e-governance, Steria India Ltd chairman Saurabh Srivastava lamented that in spite of having the third largest internet user base, the country languishes at 124th position among 190 countries.

"This low-ranking is due to our governance being neither participatory nor service-oriented. The policy-making is also not analytics driven resulting in lack of transparency," Srivastava pointed out.

As 75 percent of new internet users and 50 percent of netizens are active only on mobile phones, it is imperative for the ICT industry to innovate applications and solutions specific to the new generation of mobile users for viewing on small screens.

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