HCL, BSNL ink deal to offer low-cost PCs in villages

IT company HCL Infosystems today entered into partnership with state-run telcom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) for offering low-cost broadband-enabled computers in rural areas to bridge the digital divide.

As part of the National Broadband Penetration Program (NBPP), HCL Infosystems and BSNL will provide personal computers (PCs) to the rural masses for a down payment of Rs 2,250, followed by Rs 300 per month for a period of 3-5 years for the PC and subsidised monthly broadband package at Rs 99 or Rs 150.

"Our aim is to accelerate PC and broadband penetration by offering a complete solution and create new markets in the interiors of the country."

"The NBPP project is one of the largest government initiatives and aims to power the next million PC and broadband connections in untapped market space through the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF)," HCL Infosystems Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ajai Chowdhry told reporters here.

The cost of the PC includes Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) and bundled software, he added.

He, however, declined to comment on the expected sales of units.

The Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) under DoT has granted Rs 1,500 crore subsidy to BSNL for providing wireline broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas.

Under this, USOF will be providing a subsidy of Rs 4,500 per broadband connection that BSNL will be rolling out through their existing 27,789 rural and remote telephone exchanges.

"This is indeed the one of the major initiatives to bridge the digital divide by offering PC and broadband at a subsidised rates to our customers. The missing pie in PC and broadband proliferation was the affordability and service which are now being provided jointly by us and HCL, with support from USOF to increase desirability," BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goyal said.

While HCL will provide the service and support services through its infrastructure that covers over 4,000 towns in 11 regional languages. Its network consists of 14 remote support centres, 505 service offices, 390 ware houses and 150 repair centres.

Chip maker Intel and software major Microsoft are also part of the programme.