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Saturday, April 28, 2007
It is beyond suspicion that WiMax is the most wanted technology waiting to be deployed across India. Tipped as the last mile solution, vendors as well as service providers are conducting pilot trials across the country. Finally, WiMax is ready to arrive with BSNL, India's largest telecom service provider, deploying what it claims to be India's first certified WiMax network in the next few weeks. WiMax equipment vendor Aperto will be deploying its base stations at the same time in Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune and four rural districts in Haryana.
While the world talks about the potential that WiMax offers to a country like India, not many have talked about the potential that it offers to solution providers. Here's how the solution provider community can leverage on this big opportunity.
USING THE OPPORTUNITY?
While every carries along with it tremendous potential, on the same line it also has its pitfalls. We asked network integrators one simple question: Does WiMax present an opportunity for this community? The answer was, "Yes". But the answer was also followed by many questions. Most solutions providers are aware of this opportunity but are not sure how to go ahead with it.
 Solution providers are currently facing a situation in which revenue from traditional sources are either declining or reaching a saturation point. Therefore, for ensuring their success, a quick return on investment and the ability to drive profitable service across a diverse customer base are critical. "The solution providers have no other choice but to embrace this new technology, thereby giving them more reason to be in this business and be profitable," says Harsh Vij, CEO, SD Computers, who has already mastered the art of deploying WiMax technology.
According to Vij, WiMax is an emerging technology, a technology which promises to profitably deliver high-throughput, broadband-based services like VoIP, high-speed Internet access and video, to business and residential users who previously could not be economically served. "So there is no option, nor is there an intent, of remaining aloof from such a promising and potentially viable technology. We have already started deploying this technology and hope to enhance its usage day-by-day," adds Vij.
WiMax has the potential to provide India with widespread broadband access to Internet services which can usher in economic growth, better education and healthcare and improved, affordable entertainment services. A recent report from Motorola stated that there are only about 2 mn broadband subscribers in India, which is less than 2% penetration. This against the Indian broadband target of about 9 mn broadband subscribers by 2009 and 20 mn broadband subscribers by end of 2010.
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