While speaking at the inauguration of 4th Broadband Tech India 2007, G.S Grover, member Services, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications & IT said that the broadband revolution which has already started, will lead India into its next phase of economic growth. The annual conference on broadband which is in it’s fourth year was organised by Bharat Exhibitions.

“Last time when the government reduced the entry fee and revenue share for international long distance license, the number of service providers jumped from four to 31 resulting in intense competition and lower costs to the users. Same situation is about to happen in this segment also,” added Grover.

The major issue which was slowing the growth in this segment was the speed to offer bandwidth of not just 2 Mbps or 4Mbps but bandwidth of 20 Mbps to 40 Mbps as in Korea and Japan.

"Among all technology options for rural connectivity advanced wireless systems are the best suited. Among the various AWS options available, the one with minimal disruptions is the most preferred. On this course CDMA 1XEVDO is the front runner," said B V Raman, country head, CDG India.

While giving his keynote address Vijay Yadav, MD for South Aisa, UT Starcom said that soon we would be able to have access to broadband of 2 Mbps or above speed anywhere in India at zero or near zero cost. According to him this could touch off a new revolution in the country. Connecting over six lakh villages with broadband connectivity will help introduce the power of IPTV as an enabling tool that could eventually bring BPOs to locate in India’s villages.

According to Grover, each year, over 10,000 villages, schools, hospitals and other public places would have broadband access. Today the country has about 2.7 million connections and by the year 2010 the number is expected to cross 20 million broadband connections.