Intel seeks Govt's nod for investing in India
Chairman of Intel says his company is waiting for Govt response before investing billions of dollars and launch various activities, reports Satyajit Joshi.
Looking ahead for serious business in India, chairman of computer giant Intel Craig Barrett said in Baramati on Thursday his company was waiting for government response after which they might be investing billions of dollars and launch various activities.
Barrett was addressing a press conference during his one-day visit to Baramati, home town of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. Barrett, however, politely, refused to elaborate company's future specific plans for India.
Stating that company aims to invest one billion US dollars to build research and development centre, venture capital activities and education. "Our company has created 250 US billion dollars for Intel Capital India Technology" Barrett said adding that company also has made investment in 40 countries across India since 1998. Barrett also said that the company will have collaboration with ICICI Bank to felicitate loans for personal computers.
Stating that India has high potential for WiMax - long range broad band wireless connectivity - Barrett added that several countries even like Combodia are currently going aggressive for the use of WiMAX. "Use of WiMAX technology needs huge investment for creating infrastructure and United Nations has decided to spend three billion dollars for the purpose.
Barrett said Intel plans to have close collaboration with TATA VSNL to bring Intel based solutions and WiMAX wireless broadband connectivity. "This will provide internet connectivity to 13 million people who travel through railway" Barrett said adding that WiMAX service will be available in 50 cities across India.
Explaining WiMAX Barrett said that Intel has announced launch WiMAX chip to support mobile WiMAX networks. Intel@ WiMAX Connection 2250 is Intel's first system-onchip designed to support mobile WiMAX networks.
Barrett said that Intel is also working with National Institute of Information Technology to expand its K-12 initiative. The collaboration will reach more than one million students and by 2010 they plan to reach ten million students in 30,000 schools. In collaboration with NIIT, Intel will try to increase access to computers in villages and school district. The company has entered a deal with NIIT- ten million US dollars - to build and operate high-tech infrastructure for IT.