Mobiles for Rs. 1000

The growth of the mobile industry, now, is the target of Indian Government. Manufacturing of mobiles worth Rs. 1000 and to attract Indian people and foreign direct investment of $ 2 billion within one year has been included in the target of Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

Last week, the meeting of the DoT team was held which was headed by the DoT secretary J.S Sharma. It was proposed in the meeting that four sub groups on network expansion, broadband, telecom equipment manufacturing and research and development to examine various options in order to increase telecom growth.

Each sub groups will suggest roadmaps for telecom sectors. It is also targeted that broadband will be there in every panchayat and in every school and public health centres by 2010 and 2007 respectively. They aim to have 250 million subscribers by 2007 and 500 million by 2010.

Suggestions of future road maps will be done by the sub groups and they will also guide in how to achieve the targets. It is also expected to increase the usage of spectrum and the Defence Ministry is expected to release 45 megahertz of spectrum by early 2007.

It is also targeted to increase the mobile coverage of the country to 85 % by the end of next year. Another sub group will work for the expansion of broadband services and want to make the facility available in every nook and corner.

The manufacturing sub group has been made to formulate strategies in order to attract FDI of $ 2 billion in telephone manufacturing. It will also aim to make India telecom, the manufacturing hub and also an exporter of telecom equipment and services.

Setting up of a centre of excellence in telecom technology on a public private partnership model is expected to start by 2007. Various suggestions in this field will be given by the research and development sub group. It will also give suggestions to manufacture mobile handsets at a price of Rs. 1000 within one year.