HCL and Intel bring WiMax-enabled laptops and nettops in India

Intel, BSNL, HCL join hands to launch WiMax-enabled laptops and nettops in India

Intel, the biggest computer chipmaker in the world, HCL Infosystems, the major information and communication technologies (ICT) company based in India, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are joining hands to introduce WiMax-enabled laptops and nettops in India.

WiMax broadband helps a user access the internet even in remote areas of the country and such other places where wired broadband cannot reach.

The nettops, which are small laptops, use comparatively less electricity and are intended primarily to access the internet.

Designed by Intel and HCL Infosystems, these nettops will be made by HCL Infosystems and powered by Intel’s Atom processor.

In a statement, HCL Infosystems said it will launch WiMax-enabled laptops and nettops within 3 months.

Ajai Chowdhry, chairman and chief executive of HCL Infosystems, said in the statement that the prices of the WiMax-enabled laptops will be slightly higher than those of conventional laptops since these laptops include the WiMax access device.

Paul Otellini, chief executive of Intel, who announced the products in New Delhi, said that internet access should become a “fundamental right” since it is a “real indicator of economic growth.” An increase in broadband penetration by as little as 0.1% will result in generating nearly 300,000 jobs in India, Otellini added.

Otellini said that Intel does not need any more capacity and hence it has no plans to establish a manufacturing plant in India, even as he praised the country’s capabilities in the areas of design and development.

He mentioned the steps taken by China recently to promote personal computer penetration. China is set to beat the United States, in a few years, as the world’s single biggest market for computing, Otellini said.

The technology that WiMAX uses, according to Otellini, is being deployed globally over the past 12 months. “In the worst case, India is just 6 months behind,” he said, adding, he has been told that that the spectrum auction will be held in India in January 2010 and that a number of firms are interested in it and the rates appear reasonable.

Meanwhile, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the government-run telecom company, said it will begin providing WiMax services in about 1,000 blocks in India by November 2009.

The government of India has set a target of 20 million broadband internet connections by 2010. At present, there are around 6 million broadband connections in the country.

On the occasion of the announcement of the Intel-HCL tie-up, Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for IT and Communications, said that the Central Government is committed to providing all panchayats in the country with rural broadband internet connection in the next 3 years.

Intel also announced a WiMax acceleration programme in association with the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and HCL Infosystems. Accordingly, Intel, HCL Infosystems and BSNL will launch a number of initiatives with a view to expanding access to wireless broadband internet.