We would foray into WiMax as soon as the technology matures

How is Wi5 different from other broadband services?

We have realized that the only way to improve broadband penetration in the
country is by solving the 'last Mile' issue, as well as affordability of the
service. We have thus selected Wi-Fi as our preferred medium of access to the
customer, and have priced our plan at Rs 550 for 1 Mbps unlimited per month,
which is the lowest in the country at the moment. The Wi5 service offers true
high-speed service, at an affordable price with advantages of mobility, roaming,
wirefree experience; thus elevating Wi-Fi to carrier grade performance. We are
also looking at building the Wi5 brand, and are actively looking at introducing
value added services like-online gaming, audio and video on demand, converged
home gateways, and wireless access on trains.

What are the key challenges faced during your expansion in the Indian
broadband market?

We are dependent on rooftop access from private building owners, government
agencies, and municipal corporations. Due to the precedence set by cellular
companies, the price that we have to pay towards rental, etc, has gone up
considerably, thus impacting our costs directly. Then, the government needs to
make the process of import of hardware, used by ISPs for broadband access
simpler, so that we can offer broadband access at affordable rates. Then, due to
the policy of not unbundling 'local loop', ISPs like us are forced to rely on
more expensive media like WiMax to offer services, rather than ride on the
existing last mile copper, laid by incumbent telcos like BSNL and MTNL.

What is your take on WiMax?

We would foray into WiMax as soon as the technology matures to such an
extent that most laptops and phones start shipping with WiMax chips, instead of
Wi-Fi like at present. We are using WiMax for backhaul on our projects, but we
strongly believe that mobile WiMax holds a lot of potential. WiMax is not yet
standardized and mature like Wi-Fi technology. There are still issues that are
in interoperability between base stations and CPEs of different OEMs. Moreover,
with the newer 802.16e standard, it is still not clear what is suitable for
rural areas. The government should allow the use of 700 MHz, to provide
broadband wireless access in rural areas.

What are your future plans for the Indian telecom market?

Zylog aims to become an affordable wireless broadband and VoIP service provider
in the retail sector. Our focus is on the largely 'under-served' population of
the country, that is not only in cities but in smaller towns too. We hope to
participate in the broadband revolution, and take the current broadband
subscriber levels from 6.5 mn to over 20 mn in the next five years.

Arpita Prem

arpitap@cybermedia.co.in