Foreword 2
Connecting the Unconnected
The world now has more than 4B telephone lines – thanks to wireless connectivity as more than 65 % are mobile connections. The increase has been tremendous in emerging markets such as India where mobile connections are now happening in double digit millions every month. It has been a phenomenal journey of perhaps one technology (i.e. wireless/mobile) that has not only outgrown the vision of the founding fathers but has been quite successful in touching the lives of people living in the remotest of locations. We have many studies that have very strongly pointed to the fact that an increase mobile penetration would impact the lives of people and this is absolutely amazing.
As we talk about ‘connecting the un-connected’ and reducing the digital divide, it is absolutely necessary that the benefits of technology reach to people living in the remotest places on this planet. Many of the emerging markets, although immensely successful for highest connectivity growths, have not achieved similar success in making its people reap the benefits of being connected to the world.
Technology will play an important role in bringing down the total costs of ownership. With a host of technologies at the disposal of emerging markets, it would be even easier for operators and industry in general to bring connectivity to the door steps of people in the farthest of locations. I think that by giving the right overview of the technologies that will play a role in emerging ...
