 "Broadband")
QuadGen Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of US-based telecom network engineering services company, QuadGen Wireless Solutions Inc, has partnered with the state-run telecom operator BSNL Ltd to build, operate and own a telecom-grade wi-fi network on an exclusive basis in nine Indian states.
The company will set up about 20,000 wi-fi hot spots in these nine states, which include Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, covering over 600 million people.
With this collaboration, the company plans to bring cutting edge wireless technologies such as 5G wi-fi to both rural and urban environments at an affordable cost.The company said, it has entered into an economic arrangement with BSNL "to maximise the utilisation of BSNL's extensive fiber based back haul infrastructure".
"Broadband Connectivity is a critical ingredient for the realization of the Digital India Vision," said C S Rao, CEO and Chairman, QuadGen's Indian arm ."We are committed to expanding its network and enabling high speed connectivity through its carrier grade wi-fi offering to government offices, courts, educational institutions, banks, rural and public spaces and thus pave the way for next generation Digital infrastructure."
"Increasing broadband access to all of India's vast population is vital to our economic growth. Wi-fi is a very attractive broadband technology for India from low its cost per bit delivered, inexpensive smart phone platform and high speed connections. QuadGen plans for rolling out WiFi access using BSNL's fiber backbone shows great promise for delivering affordable broadband to India," said Arogyaswami Paulraj, eminent scientist, Marconi Prize & Graham Bell Award winner and Emeritus Professor of Stanford University, who will be joining the company's board as an independent director.
The company also said it has raised an undisclosed amount from IndusAge Partners, a Silicon Valley based early stage venture capital firm, as a part of its Series A round of financing. While IndusAge Partners led this round of financing, Trinity Mobility, a Bangalore based Wireless Services Company also participated in this financing.
Sriram Viswanathan, Founder and Managing Partner of IndusAge Partners said, "Ubiquitious mobile broadband access is essential to boost India's digital economy aspirations.Quadgen alongwith its industry partners bring a world class capability to achieve this."
