Tata Teleservices Partners with n-Logue for Rural Connectivity

Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL) has entered into a partnership with n-Logue to set up an ambitious project of taking benefits of telecom to rural Tamil Nadu. n-Logue, incorporated by the TeNeT group of IIT Madras, is into providing and operating telecom and Internet services in small towns and rural areas of India. Through this tie-up, n-Logue communications would set up the network infrastructure and provide last mile connectivity to TTSL for offering basic services in four SDCA’s (Bhavani, Vaniyambadi, Gudiyatham and Mayavaram) in the State by the end of 2004. The operations in the four SDCA’s would start in three months time. n-Logue would act as a franchisee of TTSL in the areas in which TTSL wishes to operate. n-Logue would in turn work with the local entrepreneurs to set up the network infrastructure and provide connectivity, training, support and linkages to relevant internet-based services. For its network, n-Logue would use CorDECT, a WLL based technology.

The project aims to set up 400 kiosks in the four SDCAs. A typical kiosk would offer both telephone and Internet services to the local community. “This partnership is going to bring in a paradigm change in how telecom services is going to be delivered in rural areas. The setting up of Kiosks is a step ahead in creating employment and we expect to generate 8,000 jobs over the next four-five years,” said R Balachandran, CEO, TTSL. Speaking to press persons, Dr Ashok Jhunjhunwala, TeNeT group, IIT Madras said, “I have always believed that rural connectivity doesn’t benefit the rural people alone. But I am of the belief that it is a key to significant growth in India. We do not look at this endeavor as a social service. For a thing to multiply and reach out it has to turn into business.”