Monthly Archives: September 2010

Broadband in India: What is not right? (Part I)

Leave a reply

I have already discussed these issues at length in previous posts; now extending to almost 5 years back. We have always bemoaned and cried about pathetic access but as customers we prefer to do just that. I have been exhorting the readers (as well as forum members repeatedly) that whining about the same is not going to help unless the people get together and do something together. It takes time and effort but then this is something that Indians don’t want to do.

I have been in email contact with Mathew Carley; the owner of Hayai Broadband and he has a lot to say on the prevailing scenario. Needless to say, though he is aware of the crippling issues that face Indian market, nevertheless he has innovative, out of box ideas for the same. The following is the text of the email quoted verbatim (and the links here in point to his Linked In profile. He can also be followed on Twitter here, here and here).

I wrote, ” Nevertheless, I have also wondered as to how you would “create” demand for the product. To me, the incremental cost of owning a PC is always a stumbling block. I have advocated Open Source and in recent times thin client model (Novatium comes to my mind) as a possible solution. BSNL has something on these lines but I have not been able to confirm this from the local office.” ( My earlier write ups on this issue are here, here and here; but they are way too old! )

He replies, ”

For those that can’t afford to buy computers, I’ve had the idea of basically setting up a similar system to that which is found in Finland. At public libraries, there are 10-15 computers available for public use.

To use them, you must have a library card which you put in one reader, and it spits out a queue number. When your number comes up, you are assigned to a particular computer automatically. You head over to the computer, insert your card in to the card-reader, and it’s yours to use in English, Finnish or Swedish for up to 15 minutes at a time. Oh, and I should mention: the whole lot is running on Linux! It is absolutely fantastic.

In our case (particularly for rural India), I imagine we would set up something akin to a cyber-cafe – prepaid cards, probably printed with a barcode, ID photo and accessed with a PIN code. Money would be deducted per 15, 30 or 60 minute session. The facility would have generators and alternative energies (solar?) supplying the power during the times when the grid is unavailable (or non-existent). I expect that we could run 10-15 thin-clients off of a single LTSP server and be relatively efficient, fast and secure, and the generators then only have to provide less than 1 kilowatt of electricity to keep the center going.

For cheap computers, there are a number of companies in India offering cheap solutions (not cheap enough) – one company’s products did look promising until I found out the price for his devices (between Rs10k and 15k!!!). Ideally they need to be as cheap as cellphones – I think not more than Rs5k may be acceptable. Then the question would be connecting these people. There are numerous options, but it would definitely be a situation of “lesser of multiple evils”.

I asked,” What is the cost of laying optical fiber in the country; is getting the ISP license “cheap”?

He replies,

“With regards to laying optical fiber, it’s really a question of where. Currently there is no regulation as to the pricing of laying fiber. In Mumbai it can cost anything from Rs50 lakhs to Rs1 Crore per KM to lay fiber, or to utilize a 1Gbit/s port on existing fiber to a single neighbourhood can cost around Rs15lakhs per year. In other parts of the country however, this amount can drop to Rs1 lakh per kilometer, which if that happens to be in a built-up area, can mean that we can provide excellent services at decent prices.

Let’s take Panipat in Haryana as an example (chosen at random). The city has about 2.7 lakh people in an area roughly 4km across, 10km tall, giving us an approximate coverage area of 40sqkm (About 7% the size of Mumbai). Assuming plots to be an estimated 15m wide (judging by a rough look on Google Maps), we can say we’ll fit about 66 houses in to each KM of fiber. Let’s assume Rs10 lakhs per kilometer, which is a cost of about Rs15200 per house, assuming each house is a low-rise/bungalow.

Generally speaking, the life of the fiber is expected to be 20 years (aerial) or 30 years (underground). At this price, the fiber can pay for itself in 5-8 years depending on how much we charge for it and if we end up leasing it out to other providers. At the prices we charge currently Mumbai, (We have a base price currently of Rs550 including taxes) will mean that it would pay for itself in about 3 years.

This is the end of part I. I would be covering rest of the email and the interesting exchange of ideas in part II soon.

TRAI: Rejig Broadband policy

Leave a reply

This is an open letter to them.

Dear Sir,

As you might be aware of the poor broadband access, I am sending you across the relevant global scenario. First the ITU index freely available online which CLEARLY STATES our ranking with the SUB-SAHARAN countries.

We have “marginally” improved our ranking in recent times only because of the trumped up numbers of cellular subscribers. (That is why cellular companies are loath to do a “re-verification”). At the same time, the report is VERY clear about the POOR Broadband penetration. (Re-verification was recently ordered for pre-paid customers because of the inherent security risks. It was during this time (extensively reported in mainstream media) that it became apparent that companies are resorting to foul means to increase their subscribers for reporting. Gross revenues for taxation are also rumored to be under-reported while there have been repeated lies about the “fastest growing segment” in Indian industry by vested interests and lobby groups).

I also link to a BBC story which details WHY we need a broadband access.

There is a lot needs to be done and we need a PRO-ACTIVE regulator. Open Houses CAN ONLY serve their purpose IF it is backed by action on the ground. That means no useless Fair Usage Policies and TRAI as a regulator HAS to crack it’s whip and rap on their knuckles instead of giving in to their lobby.

One simple suggestion. Redefine MINIMUM speed as 2Mbps as ITU does (although your PIO does not agree to this).

The Broadband Policy initiative should clearly reflect on the aspirations of the customers.

May I also remind you that as per definition of Government you are designated as “PUBLIC SERVANTS” and as such you are ANSWERABLE to us in every respect. Your initiatives and policy formulations should work for PUBLIC and not for private vested interests.

I hope that this is made VERY CLEAR to you.

Broadband in India: Why we need faster speeds

1 Reply

And without Fair Usage Policies (FUP). FUP is a bastardized concept designed to make you squirm and feel miserable. Imagine having 4-8 mbps plans and using it to check the frigging emails and chatting. (The most hated thing about Indian Broadband)

We as a united front (this blog and the associated forum) are fighting on basis of net neutrality also because I very strongly feel that till the time we have an unfettered access and relief from the telecom companies, the future is going to be very bleak.

What the F you can do with superfast speeds? Let me quote few examples taken from here.

As per Google’s released statement, “Imagine sitting in a rural health clinic, streaming three-dimensional medical imaging over the Web and discussing a unique condition with a specialist in New York,” its statement said. “Or downloading a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes. Or collaborating with classmates around the world, while watching live 3-D video of a university lecture.

This is just the tip of iceberg. The potential is huge and immense; this is for one simple reason that we would be stuck in the innovation gap.

For me, as a doctor, translational research matters the most. I strongly feel that continuous innovation and access to technology and knowledge resources would immensely benefit my hapless patients. At the same time, if I am not on the learning curve by pooling in the best practises, my patients would suffer in terms of antiquated knowledge and practises. Hence it is imperative that I get access to a real fast affordable broadband so that I can access the world’s resources and implement them.

At the same time, I feel pissed that telecom companies are the biggest stumbling block for this. Initiatives elsewhere are being planned but the test case here is US. The major reason is that the powers that be realize that there is a huge gap. Secondly, the mainstream press is hugely vocal about it. What we get here is this. Still, in terms of coverage, this is by far, the largest coverage in recent times!!!

Screw them….and be heard!