Date:15/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/09/15/stories/2004091502141900.htm

Back AP to deploy low-cost infotainment device

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Sept. 14

THE State Government plans to deploy `PCTVT' in the proposed Rs 700-crore broadband project. PCTVT is an innovative low cost device developed by Dr Raj Reddy, Head of Robotics Laboratory of Carnegie Mellon University, in collaboration with International Institute of Information Technology-Hyderabad and IIT-Madras. The device combines the features of a personal computer and an entertainment device and can be hosted at public places to serve as an Internet kiosk. This product is to be manufactured by a Korean hardware company.

The Additional Secretary of Information Technology, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Mr P. Raghuveer, speaking at an e-governance meeting said the broadband project aims to reach Government services up to the village level in a phased manner with the first phase touching up to the district level, the second, mandals and the third, villages.

The Government plans to use this broadband network for delivery of a host of services, including Government to citizen and community learning and for telemedicine. The Government's proposal for this project to be developed through a public/private partnership model received overwhelming response with about 25 companies — both Indian and overseas — evincing interest and picking up RFP (request for proposal) documents. The meeting for a pre-bid briefing has been convened here and partners are likely to be chosen by next month.

As a part of the eGovernance initiatives, it is proposed to make at least one person in a family computer literate so that the entire family benefits. Towards this, a pilot project would be taken up before expanding the scope, he said.