Date:17/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/17/stories/2006031701400200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Making video conferencing affordable

Special Correspondent

In the first stage, 800 V-Darpan kiosks in various parts of Bangalore will be opened

The technology is provided by a U.K. firm
The service cost is Rs. 3 per minute

Company ready to set up kiosks in the districts

Bangalore: Video conferencing has become less expensive and an almost roadside offering, from a private service provider in Bangalore.

The V-Darpan kiosks on the roads will be as easy as making a long distance phone call, according to 21st Century Information Technology Pvt. Ltd., which is based at Sahakaranagar. The technology comes from Iqara Enterprises of the United Kingdom.

In the first stage, the company will open 800 V-Darpan video conferencing kiosks spread across Bangalore. The service cost is as low as Rs. 3 per minute, compared to what is charged by other private and public service providers, the company says.

This will be a service where one can not only speak with friends and relatives in other cities but can also see their pictures beamed from any corner of the world. V-Darpan is also expected to provide self-employment opportunities to many who will be helped to set up these kiosks. Banks may provide up to 70 per cent of the investment.

Apart from those just walking-into booths, the service is expected to help local government agencies, colleges, hospitals and others.

V-Darpan is in the process of negotiating with the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and other government offices to provide the services.

The company says if such a service centre is established at the Chief Minister's office and linked to kiosks in the districts poor farmers and others trying their last knock for justice then need not spend money to travel all the way to Bangalore. The company has said it is ready to establish kiosks at the offices of Deputy Commissioner in the districts if space is provided. Zilla panchayats can use the facility to interact with the State headquarters and with other officials and the public. Another facility E-Darpan is looking at colleges and universities. Parents seeking admission for their wards in Bangalore may have the option of video conferencing with university or college authorities through kiosks on the campus. This "instant meeting" facility is expected to be made full use of by growing businesses that cannot immediately afford their video conferencing facilities.

Families are expected to make use of the kiosks too, to interact with relatives far away and one never knows, even traditional marriages may get fixed this way, without the families having to travel to each other's hometowns.