It is no secret that India is becoming a tech-focused country. However, millions of people across the nation have yet to log on the Internet for the first time.
Software giant Microsoft seems keen on helping people in India connect to the Web, as it announced its new initiative to bring low-cost broadband to 500,000 villages in India as part of the Digital India initiative program.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella unveiled the company's plan at a dinner organized in honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting the U.S.
Inspiring discussion with @NarendraModi on how tech is a powerful tool to enable human ingenuity #ModiInUSA https://t.co/wgZQeMql0P
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) September 27, 2015
Nadella said in his remarks during the event that the company's initiative to become a partner in the Digital India program can play a significant role in stimulating the efficiency, creativity, as well as productivity of governments and businesses of all sizes.
“A key part of both Make in India and Digital India, bringing world class infrastructure into India, respecting India’s digital security, sovereignty and privacy is a key milestone for us,” added Nadella, the first Indian-American CEO of the Redmond-based company.
Microsoft started experimenting with white space, the unused spectrum between TV channels, in November. The goal was to offer Internet services to a school in the state of Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the district of Srikakulam.
Additionally, the chief executive said that this move will result in more reasonably priced Internet products and services across the country. This will also provide additional access to opportunities for India's residents.
It is worth noting that Microsoft will make its cloud service available next week in India.
Earlier, we reported that international tech giant Google is also bringing a similar initiative to the country.
Specifically, Google announced its plan to provide Internet access to 400 train stations in India, with 100 of these stations to be connected by the end of 2016.
"We'd like to help get these next billion Indians online so they can access the entire web, and all of its information and opportunity. And not just with any old connection – with fast broadband so they can experience the best of the web," Google CEO Sundar Pichai says.
