QUALCOMM opens LMI center in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA: QUALCOMM Incorporated, a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies and data solutions, announced the launch of its Wireless Reach initiative in Sri Lanka through the opening of a Last Mile Initiative (LMI) Center in Wennappuwa. The center, known as Easy Seva, is one of 15 that will be launched in the country with support from QUALCOMM, Dialog Telekom, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the National Development Bank (NDB) and Synergy Strategies Group (SSG), which, through a bulk purchase package of equipment, software, content and services, have created a new, market-driven approach to establish rural community-based centers. The centers will carry the name of this unique Easy Seva brand and are expected to provide unprecedented quality of service to the communities they serve.

The goal of the Easy Seva centers is to develop entrepreneurs in the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Sri Lanka by deploying 3G mobile broadband Internet service at the village level and enabling them to offer access to affordable ICT-enabled services and content. The centers are enabled with 3G mobile broadband connectivity based on Dialog's HSDPA network. They will employ an innovative franchise approach, which will aim to create a profitable and sustainable business model for extending ICT services and connectivity to rural consumers.

"We are very pleased to be partnering with Dialog Telekom and USAID on our Wireless Reach initiative to empower rural communities in Sri Lanka," said Kanwalinder Singh, president of QUALCOMM India and SAARC. "We congratulate Dialog Telekom for being the first operator in the SAARC region to launch HSDPA for rural applications. It reaffirms that 3G HSDPA has the versatility to deliver next-generation services to all consumers, rural and urban, while offering a compelling business opportunity for operators and rural entrepreneurs."

The Easy Seva centers also will help rural residents to acquire employment skills through online training, explore new job opportunities, receive micro-loans and other banking services, as well as to call relatives and friends overseas at low rates. The centers use a unique private sector model to facilitate financial sustainability with an innovative, highly-standardized package of equipment, services, training and market support for the franchisees called the "Easy Seva Franchise in a Box." By standardizing these offerings, the franchise model will reduce barriers to entry while simultaneously reducing operating costs for the franchisees.

"It is truly rewarding to see a cutting edge technology such as 3G HSDPA delivering socio-economic dividends where they are most needed, at such an early stage in the technology life cycle. We look forward to working with QUALCOMM and USAID in scaling up the penetration of HSDPA-powered ICT centers in order to harness the benefits of 3G technology towards the betterment of Sri Lankan lives," said Dr.Hans Wijayasuriya, chief executive, Dialog Telekom.

"Broadband connectivity and ICT technologies are important tools for socio-economic progress in developing countries," said Rebecca Cohn, USAID/Sri Lanka mission director. "We believe that these centers will empower rural communities in Sri Lanka by providing them access to global opportunities and perspectives."

The Last Mile Initiative in Sri Lanka was initiated by the USAID and is being implemented by SSG and Infoshare. It is supported by a number of leading high-profile international and local partners. QUALCOMM, through its Wireless Reach initiative, will be responsible for providing funds to upgrade 3G HSDPA base stations and for the purchase of equipment for the centers.

QUALCOMM also will provide technical support for technology analysis, as well as assist in obtaining equipment pricing from vendor partners. Local access to the centers is provided via Dialog Telekom's 3G Network, featuring data speeds in excess of 1.4 Mbps based on the HSDPA technology. In addition to the provision of Last Mile access, HSDPA terminals and end-user equipment, Dialog Telekom will also provide Internet backbone infrastructure and access, a SIM card-based electronic payment mechanism co-developed with the National Development Bank, Voice Over IP (VOIP)-based low-cost communications, distance education facilities and help desk facilities for the provision of operational and technical support.