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WiMax to unwire Bangalore for seamless connectivity
Friday, 29 September 2006, 19:30 IST
BANGALORE: India's silicon hub Bangalore is all set to become the country's first tech city to be unwired with WiMax technology providing seamless integrated digital connectivity, a top official said here Thursday.
"Keeping pace with the latest technologies in convergence, we are moving from Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) to WiMax (worldwide interoperability for microwave access) for providing last mile wireless broadband access in place of cable and DSL (digital signal link)," Karnataka principal secretary (IT) Anup K. Pujari told reporters.
In the run-up to the upcoming Bangalore IT.In 2006 event next month, where WiMax equipment would be deployed on a pilot basis, the state government has sent RFPs (request for proposals) to five vendors, shortlisted from 13 companies that showed expression of interest (EoI).
"The 
200-million project covering the city and its peripheral areas will be executed by K-BITS (Karnataka Biotechnology & Information Technology Society), a nodal agency of the IT department, under the supervision of IIIT-B (Indian Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore) director S. Sadagopan.
"Once we receive the RFPs, the nodal agency will select two-three of the shortlisted vendors to award the contract, scheduled to be completed in the next 12 months. To achieve economies of scale and greater reach in terms of density, a flexible tariff will be reached for providing the last-mile connectivity," Pujari said.
Though WiMax is not a technology per se, the term is used to certify the high-tech equipment that meets the IEEE 802.16 standard, set by WiMax Forum for conformity and interoperability. It is a notch above Wi-Fi, whose equipment is based on 802.11 standard and used for wireless local area networks (WLAN).
Earlier, at a preview of the ensuing IT mega event, slated for Oct 28-31 at the Bangalore Palace grounds, Pujari said about 300 Indian and overseas firms have already confirmed participation in the exposition and conferences to showcase their technologies, products and service offerings.
Spread over 20,000 square metres, the IT exhibition will host eight focus pavilions-e-Nation, e-Hardware and Digital Lifestyle, e-Software, e-Infocom, e-Gaming and Animation, e-States, IT Park and STPI. Besides these pavilions, the trade show will have a buyer-seller's meet, Global Zone, bid and buy and B2B and B2C.
Among the countries to be represented by their companies are Australia, Belgium, Britain, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, Spain and the US. Of the firms participating, more than half have presence in 18 countries the world over. Similarly, 16 state governments across the country have pitched for space to promote their states as IT destinations to attract investments.
"The Knowledge City, being set up at Bidadi on the city's outskirts, will give the IT sector a fillip in the state. These initiatives have contributed to Brand Bangalore as the ideal destination for IT," Pujari said.
Hosted by the Karnataka Government in association with the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), the premier event will provide a networking platform for CEOs, CTOs, IT professionals, delegates and visitors from the world over.
Source: IANS
200-million project covering the city and its peripheral areas will be executed by K-BITS (Karnataka Biotechnology & Information Technology Society), a nodal agency of the IT department, under the supervision of IIIT-B (Indian Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore) director S. Sadagopan.
"Once we receive the RFPs, the nodal agency will select two-three of the shortlisted vendors to award the contract, scheduled to be completed in the next 12 months. To achieve economies of scale and greater reach in terms of density, a flexible tariff will be reached for providing the last-mile connectivity," Pujari said.
Though WiMax is not a technology per se, the term is used to certify the high-tech equipment that meets the IEEE 802.16 standard, set by WiMax Forum for conformity and interoperability. It is a notch above Wi-Fi, whose equipment is based on 802.11 standard and used for wireless local area networks (WLAN).
Earlier, at a preview of the ensuing IT mega event, slated for Oct 28-31 at the Bangalore Palace grounds, Pujari said about 300 Indian and overseas firms have already confirmed participation in the exposition and conferences to showcase their technologies, products and service offerings.
Spread over 20,000 square metres, the IT exhibition will host eight focus pavilions-e-Nation, e-Hardware and Digital Lifestyle, e-Software, e-Infocom, e-Gaming and Animation, e-States, IT Park and STPI. Besides these pavilions, the trade show will have a buyer-seller's meet, Global Zone, bid and buy and B2B and B2C.
Among the countries to be represented by their companies are Australia, Belgium, Britain, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, Spain and the US. Of the firms participating, more than half have presence in 18 countries the world over. Similarly, 16 state governments across the country have pitched for space to promote their states as IT destinations to attract investments.
"The Knowledge City, being set up at Bidadi on the city's outskirts, will give the IT sector a fillip in the state. These initiatives have contributed to Brand Bangalore as the ideal destination for IT," Pujari said.
Hosted by the Karnataka Government in association with the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), the premier event will provide a networking platform for CEOs, CTOs, IT professionals, delegates and visitors from the world over.
Source: IANS