Pilot pitches for increased broadband connectivity

Inaugurating the three-day 19th Convergence India 2011 Expo here, Pilot said broadband growth should bring in tangible difference in the lives of the people.

“India offers a large market place for all the stakeholders in the communication value chain. It is time for ICT [information and communication technology] players and regulators of Government of India to take collaborative efforts to provide high-speed broadband services in rural areas and best services at the most affordable price”, he said adding, “Convergence has happened much faster than anyone expected”.

Reiterating the significance broadband in India,  Robin Mersh, CEO, Broadband Forum, said: “India’s growth in broadband in 2010 - second only to China and the United States-is leading towards the country to soon becoming one of the top 10 users of broadband in the world”. India added more than 2.5  million new lines of broadband last year. There has been tremendous and consistent growth in the broadband across India in recent years, yet this is just the tip of the iceberg.” 

Over 430 participants representing the Telecom, IT, Broadcast, Media and  Entertainment, Green IT, Security & Surveillance, Cable, Satellite, IP Surveillance and Information Security sectors of 25 countries are participating at the international event to showcase their cutting edge technologies, products & services.