Intel, HCL Infosystems launch first WiMax-enabled nettops
By siliconindia   |   Wednesday, 28 October 2009, 15:06 IST
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Intel, HCL Infosystems launch first WiMax-enabled nettops
New Delhi: To help consumers access internet in remote parts and congested places in India, the global chip maker Intel, along with HCL Infosystems has announced the launch of the first of WiMax-enabled nettops and laptops in the country. Unveiling the nettops and laptops, Intel CEO and President Paul Otellini said that internet access should become a fundamental right as it's a real indicator of economic growth. "A 0.1 percent increase in broadband penetration will create almost 300,000 jobs in India, according to our estimates," said Otellini. Nettops are small form of laptops, which consume less power and are used primarily for accessing the internet. WiMax is a wireless technology which can allow mobile broadband access with speeds as high as 10 mbps. It is especially useful for far flung and rural areas areas, where last mile connectivity has not reached as yet. State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) said that it would start rolling out WiMax services in about 1,000 blocks in the country by next month. India currently has about six million broadband connections. But the government has set itself an ambitious target to achieve 20 million connections by next year. "The government is committed to provide all Panchayats with rural broadband in next three years. But the private sector should work towards lowering the cost of access device," said the Minister of State for IT and Communications, Sachin Pilot. HCL Infosystems will make available the WiMax-enabled laptops and nettops within three months to the consumers. The laptops will be powered by Intel's Atom processor. "The cost of the devices will be a bit higher than conventional laptops, as it includes the WiMax access device," added HCL Infosystems Chairman and CEO Ajai Chowdhry.

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