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News >> Technology >>
India to have national Internet exchange
By agencies
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Tuesday, 08 February 2005, 20:30 IST
NEW DELHI: A national Internet exchange will connect all Net service providers, reduce costs and improve quality, Information Technology (IT) and Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran today said.
We will have four such exchange points to function by April Maran said adding most small and large ISPs (Internet Service Providers) will route traffic through this exchange to ensure security of the domestic traffic.
The minister said the government's priority was to provide broadband Internet connectivity all over the country. "This will allow IT applications in areas such as education, entertainment and healthcare," said Maran.
Though Indian IT companies have become well known, Internet penetration is still less due to high computer gear costs. Maran told IT delegates that the government was working with the industry see that computer costs come down rapidly and Internet access devices are within the reach of all.
He said a working group, having members from industry and the government, has been set up to discuss all Internet connectivity and software issues.
He said the IT sector's national economic output had almost tripled - from 1.2 percent in 1997-98 to 3.5 percent in 2003-04. It is estimated to grow at over 30 percent during the fiscal year of 2004-05 and account for around 4.1 percent of the gross domestic product.
"This performance is still just the tip of the iceberg," Maran said.
He urged the IT industry to focus on research and development. "Innovation lies at the heart of these emerging global contenders in their effort to be at par with international information and communication technology giants," Maran said.