64
l
The survey also indicated that 91 percent of India’s corporate Websites are
located overseas.
l
The capital cities (New Delhi and other state capitals) today account for 79 percent
of Internet connections across the country.
The Prime Minister of India announced the Private ISP Policy
on November 1, 1998. This was undoubtedly one of the most
revolutionary policies to hit the Indian scene as it scrapped license
fee for the Internet.
Later, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, Minister for Communications and Mr. Shyamal
Ghosh, Chairman, Telecom Commission chipped in by increasing international as
well as domestic Internet bandwidth availability.
Although the bandwidth remains a priority, there has already been a jump of almost
200
percent in bandwidth availability over the last six months. The DOT has said
that by March 31, 2001, almost 155 cities and towns of India would have 2.5 Gbps
of Internet bandwidth. Cyber
dhabas
and cyber kiosks have become a new way of life
and the biggest news of 2000 is related to the amazing price cuts on Internet
connectivity—to the tune of 70 percent-initiated by the VSNL and private ISPs.
The only thorn left is the high cost of local phone calls that users have to pay, that
add to Internet connectivity costs. Otherwise, in accordance to the Prime Minister’s
vision, the Internet has started proliferating down to the masses.
n
Although the bandwidth remains a priority,
there has already been a jump of almost
200
percent in the area of bandwidth
availability over the last six months.
