Nokia Siemens partners with DEF

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Nokia Siemens Networks has joined hands with Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Delhi based not-for-profit organization working to find solutions to bridge the digital divide. The partnership aims to promote digital inclusion during the forthcoming 2009 edition of the Manthan Award South Asia, to be held from December 18-19, 2009 in New Delhi.

The event, organized by DEF, is South Asia’s largest on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for commerce, governance and rural development, said a press release. As part of the partnership, the Manthan Award will include a dedicated three-hour joint session on Uniting Communities with 3G, under the broader Manthan theme of Digital Inclusion for Development, it added.

The session will focus on the affordability and convenience of the mobile devices, networks and services that are playing a crucial role in bringing the Internet to a wider audience, both in urban and rural areas across the world.

“This partnership reflects a common understanding by both us and DEF on the importance and challenges of digital inclusion for overall industry development said Urs Pennanen, head of the Indian region at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Affordable access to communications technology encourages social inclusion and contributes to progress in a range of social economic and environmental issues.”

The introduction of 3G-enabled mobile services will provide affordable Internet access in rural areas of India and other South Asian countries. This will more than make up for low personal computer penetration in these areas and help bridge the digital divide, said NSN.

“By joining hands with Nokia Siemens Networks, we hope to strengthen what could prove to be the single biggest step towards socio-economic transformation in India and South Asia,” said Osama Manzar, founder and director, Digital Empowerment Foundation. “The possibilities are endless - 3G will positively impact many areas, including health services, education, agriculture and governance.

The Manthan Award is an initiative in India to recognize the best practices in e-content and creativity, said the release. It was launched on 10th October 2004, by Digital Empowerment Foundation in partnership with World Summit Award, the Indian Department of Information Technology, and various other stakeholders such as civil society members, the media and other similar organizations engaged in promoting digital content inclusiveness for development throughout South Asia.

This year, the award will be given under thirteen categories ranging from e-business and commerce, e-education, e-governance to m-content.