Daily Archives: 04th Jan 2006

Internet lamposts

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BBC reports:

Smart lampposts that could provide high-speed internet access are set to go on trial in Scotland.Backers of the project plan to install six of the solar-powered, internet-capable lights on a rooftop at the University of Abertay.The idea will combine lampposts with solar energy and wi-fi wireless internet access.

The lamppost will use light-emitting diode (LED) technology to provide bright light using low power derived from solar cells, which use daylight to recharge even in overcast weather.

I am definitely interested in having something like this for the rural broadband push. Interestingly, as pointed out here it runs on solar power- this effectively minimises the environmental aspect to power such devices. In the long term, this can definitely add to the substantial savings.

More so, given the erratic rural power supply.

A request to readers here. In case you come across such information online which could power the rural countryside, please do let me know. I would be glad to put up your contribution online.

New trends in Indian Telecom

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Rediff reports:”

CNBC TV 18 has signed an agreement with Tata Indicom broadband to launch its video-on-demand service. As per the deal, CNBC will provide content to Tata Indicom broadband for a fixed fee, which will enable all Tata Indicom subscribers to access CNBC’s live as well as archival content.

This is the first for the “broadband consumer”. CNBC has fired the first salvo. Something seems to have happened to the high ups in Tata. They seem to have become proactive all of a sudden.

The charges are per download.

I shall be looking at the entertainment industry at a later date. Some “germ” of an idea is already forming up.

Finally, there are new options to be explored to solve the spectrum crunch. It is an open secret that spectrum is scarce. And 3G solutions are “touted” as the end all solution to this hassle. However, despite the claims of the industry, it isn’t really happening. The spectrum MAY be auctioned later this year. Remember the time when GPRS was answer to the “download hassles”? It is a dead dodo now.

Further options that are being explored are- broadband over power lines; integrating the fixed and landline numbers, WiMax et al.

Read More.

What does this mean for the consumer? Frankly, I have no idea. Would this help to foray in the rural areas; increase mobile penetration?

I strongly believe that mobile telephony isn’t the answer to connectivity woes. It’s the landline. For this, the last mile access must be opened up. BSNL has no right to sit over public property. As an incentive, TRAI could allow tax concessions to operate in rural areas. Or the subsidies through the cess collected from the operators (the USO fund). It requires imaginative solutions to nagging problems.

Let’s hope.