Pitroda favours rural connectivity

National Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda on Wednesday emphasised the need to improve rural telecom connectivity to ensure overall development of the country.

"The country is facing many challenges. Primary among them is the rural connectivity. The country has to improve the rural telecom connectivity for inclusive growth," he said in his key-note address to the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) meet on telecommunications "" Comtel 2008.

He pointed out that rural telecom connectivity will assist in distance learning, electronic learning and teaching through virtual classrooms.

The country should focus on applications for education and e-governance using telecom connectivity for a comprehensive growth," Pitroda said through tele-conferencing.

Sasken Communication Technology Chairman and CEO Rajiv Mody said tele density in the rural areas of the country was low despite the rapid expansion of the telecom sector.

"Communication should be made affordable and accessible for the rural masses. We have to bridge the divide between the urban and rural consumers. Till now, the urban consumers were driving the growth of telecom sector. In future, it will be the rural masses who will drive the growth," he said.

Mody stated that there was tremendous scope for growth in the rural areas for the telecom players. "Innovative means, including local content, matters in tapping the growth potential in the rural areas," he said.