Ericsson Pioneers WCDMA/HSPA in Rural India

Ericsson has launched the Gramjyoti Rural Broadband Project, an initiative to introduce the benefits of WCDMA/HSPA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access/High Speed Packet Access) technology in rural India and connect communities to high-speed Internet services for the first time.

The trial project was launched in early September and will showcase the benefits of a host of mobile broadband applications across 18 villages and 15 towns close to Chennai.

By creating a stable ecosystem based on leading WCDMA/HSPA technology, Ericsson will provide these communities with high-speed Internet so they can access a range of services such as telemedicine, e-education, e-governance, online local information, voice and video call services, and live TV and entertainment.

The initiative seeks to demonstrate how WCDMA/HSPA technology can be a major catalyst for social and economic empowerment in this developing region, help to bridge the digital divide, and increase productivity and quality of life.

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Rural communities and schools will be the chief beneficiaries of the initiative. As part of the project, more than 3000 students at three high schools in these communities will have high-speed Internet access and receive e-learning courses.

Mats Granryd, managing director of Ericsson India says: “Ericsson aims to help India’s rural population get first-hand experience of broadband applications. This pioneering project will provide communities with access to meaningful broadband services. Building an efficient and affordable WCDMA/HSPA rural broadband can help serve as a blueprint for the widespread introduction of Internet and broadband connectivity in the future.”