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Information and Communication Technology: An Indian perspective  Vijayanand K Department of Computer Science, Pondicherry University Pondicherry – 605014, India Tel: +91-94434-93321 Email: kvixs@yahoo.co.in  Ananda Sagar K Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Warangal-506 004, A P, India Tel: +91-94404-52732 Email: anandsagar_k@hotmail.com Across the globe, countries have recognized Information Technology (IT) as an effective tool in catalyzing the economic activity in efficient governance, and in developing human resources. There is a growing recognition of the newer and wider possibilities that technology presents before the society in the modern times. IT together with Communication Technologies has brought about unprecedented changes in the way people communicate; conduct business, pleasure and social interaction. The evolution of new forms of technologies and imaginative forms of applications of the new and older technologies makes the lives of the people better and more comfortable in several ways. There is even greater realization that instead of a single-track technology, lateral integration of technologies can deliver startling results and the world seems to be moving towards such converged systems. With the emergence of IT on the national agenda and the announcement of IT policies by various state governments have recognized the “Convergence of core technologies and E-Governance” as the tool for good governance, sustainable development, globalization of economy and social empowerment. Information is the key to democracy. With the advent of IT, it has become possible for the common man to access global information. The realm of electronic communication encompasses telecommunication, broadcasting, information technology, enabled services and industries, to undergo profound changes leading to a Global Information Infrastructure (GII), which will be capable of carrying any type of information, be it text, data, voice or video. Information is now broadly defined to embrace voice in telephony, text in fax and newspapers, images in video and television broadcasting, and data in computers. All information can be digitized, transported, stored, retrieved, modified, and then distributed. All of these are getting transportable over common infrastructure viz. high-speed, broadcast, digital electronic highways. Emerging digital techniques, new network alternatives (Intelligent Networks), high bandwidth communication technology, and state-of-the-art software for network functions and services, are the new technology trends evident in the development of electronic communication systems. The convergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) involve not only the integration of carriage and content but also of the industry. In such convergence, instances of conflicting interests might surface and it may trigger a competition and end up with the survival of the fittest industries and of sustainable applications. It may also be realised that converged applications have a lot of bearing on e-governance, which, many people perceive as a means to ‘good governance’. Initiatives of the government and the private sector to adopt standards develop interconnection and accounting systems and to deploy infrastructures, due to liberalization policies, have seen the growth of satellite systems and regional WANs (Wide Area Networks) in India. Emergence of IT on the national agenda and announcement of IT policies by several state governments has strengthened India’s position in the software-driven IT sector in the world. For example states of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Pondicherry etc. announced several IT policies in the state. 
The swift
emergence of a
g l o b a l
“i n f o r m a t i o n
society” is
changing the way
people live, learn,
work and relate. An
explosion in the
free flow of
information and
ideas has brought
knowledge and its
m y r i a d
applications to
many millions of
people, creating
new choices and
opportunities in
some of the most vital realms of human endeavor. Yet
too most of the world’s population remains untouched
by this revolution. The “digital divide” threatens to
exacerbate wide gaps between rich and poor, within and
among countries. The stakes are high indeed. Timely
access to news and information can promote trade,
education, employment, health and wealth. One of the
hallmarks of the information society openness is a crucial
ingredient of democracy and good governance.
Information and knowledge are also at the heart of efforts to strengthen tolerance, mutual understanding and respect for diversity. To bridge the digital divide, the only sustainable route is to reduce poverty. In the long run governments need to do much by enhancing access to education and health care through distance learning and telemedicine. ICT can improve the quality of life for poor rural communities who do not have access to these facilities. The following section discusses the infrastructure and access available to the Indian Internet users, followed by the elaborations on the growth of Internet in India. Further, the most important trend in ICT, the convergence of computing and telecommunications is discussed followed by the presentation of several initiatives that are taken in India towards e-governance. In addition, a detailed submissions towards ICT and its contribution in promoting the sustainable livelihood in India. The concluding remarks include the urge towards providing the converged technologies with applications like tele-medicine and tele-education to the common man. ICT infrastructure and access India is a major contributor and developed nation in terms of ICT infrastructure. The reduced tariff of telephones, the charges had drastically reduced attracting many users on to the mobile era. These reduced charges had brought a revolution towards mobile phones and Internet access by bringing more people on to the network. After identifying the need to develop the rural area, India had taken major steps towards rural development. Community Internet centers was established all over the country, connecting the isolated villagers to the knowledge base. Government of India had established 487 community information centers in the northeast India, which is geographically isolated. The infrastructure of India for the year 2000 is given in table 1 below.  Table 1: Infrastructure in India Though the expenditure for research and development is constant for several years (16% of GNI in 1995 and 2000), the improvement in technology and development is large in India. The services of the government are available online is high and if the governments of northeast Indian states are made available online the delivery of services online by India shall reach the best. Though there is a high competition among the Internet service providers (ISP), the effect of Internet on business is below average due to the speed and access of the Internet is average. The ICT infrastructure is in under developing stage in India whereas India takes a lead role in South Asia towards this aspect. The reduced hardware costs are contributing in increasing the number of people with computers as well as Internet users. The data related to the users of computers and Internet, as on the year 2000 is given in table 2 below.  Table 2: Computers and the Internet Growth of Internet in India The last decade has seen the birth and growth of Internet in India as a phenomenon that has transformed the life of the people in several respects. Its presence has been universal. The following table-3 shows the yearly data of the number of Internet connections as well as Internet users estimated.  Table 3 : Growth of Internet in India (Figures in Millions) Broad Band Internet Connectivity Widespread use of “convergence”, however, revolves around next generation applications taking the advantage of increased bandwidth. While a large number of technologies are getting developed for broadband access such as DSL/ADSL, cable modems, VSATs, wireless technologies, the mix of deployment would depend upon the market forces and promotional efforts made by the government. International Data Corporation (IDC) has recently carried out a market survey giving the future projections covering interalia, worldwide broadband penetration, outlook as well as possible technology choice in India. These are given in the following tables 4 and 5.  Table 4 : Broadband Penetration Worldwide  Table 5 : Global Scenario and India DSL - Digital Subscriber Line Convergence of Computing and Telecommunications The term “convergence” commonly refers to the provision of different kind of services over the existing infrastructure and the enhancement of existing technologies so as to provide a wide variety of new services. Convergence of computing and telecommunications was perceived as one of the most important trends in ICT. Since the early nineties, computer networks were widely used, and increasingly contributed to the globalization of economic activities. Computer networks in convergence with telecommunications, commonly referred to as “Information Infrastructures”, are now viewed as fundamental and critical bases for future economic and social development. In simple terms, convergence can be defined as the convergence of “carriage and content” and involves convergence of terminals as well as integration of industries. Conceptually, the convergence of carriage and content, along with imaginative applications opens up tremendous possibilities for delivering a big basket to the consumer empowering him to choose, use and control voice data and images delivered through a common device. Imaginative value addition to services adds to the attractiveness of such deliveries. The success of Internet lies in the empowerment of the user and his capacity to access information with less cost and effort. However, it is not so easy or simple to bring the dream of convergence applications to the user with the existing organization of industry and other structures. Convergence involves vertical as well as horizontal integration of various entities. Applications based on the concept of convergence are still evolving in different parts of the world driven by the level of IT and communication infrastructure, the interest that the industry and the governments show and the overall context of their cultures and economies. Convergence applications go much beyond the three segments of information and entertainment and have a capacity to change the system of governance and delivery of services in the total electronically networked environment. In India, broadcasting has been a state monopoly with the stress shifting in recent years from expansion of network to technology upgradation. The telecommunications sector, on the other hand, witnessed in the last five years a radical transformation from monopoly of operations to a situation of vigorous competition with fast track liberalization of services and infrastructure. Internet, the latest entrant to the field, acquired tremendous acceptance within a short span with a fast and impressive growth. These three different “product lines”, namely, Broadcasting, Telephony and Internet are now in a position to converge through wired and wireless media. This process involves major changes in the structures of the computer industry, information and content industry, and the communication industry and has three major aspects: 
Traditionally, communication and media have been quite
distinct. Broadcasting, voice telephony and online
computer services operated on different networks and
used different “platforms”. Television sets, telephones and
computers, each have been regulated by different laws
and by different regulators. In the last two or three
decades, the stress has been on expansion of network.
Most of the radio broadcast has been in amplitude
modulated (AM) mode. Television broadcasting which
started as an adjunct to radio broadcasting in 1958 also
followed the same route and both the wings functioned
as public broadcasters. Content was created primarily
with this objective in view although there was a gradual
but discernible orientation towards commercial
broadcasting. Technology upgradation is now being
recognized as an important need. Plans and programmes
are being conceived to bring at least half of the television
broadcasting to the digital system in the next five or six
years. In the telecommunications area, the Department
of Telecommunications provided all the services till the
opening up started in 1991.In the last about 5 years, the
telecommunications sector has experienced a radical
transformation from monopoly of operations to a sector
facing full and vigorous competition with fast track
liberalization of services and infrastructure. The regulatory
restrictions of the telecommunications sector in the past
were in sharp contrast with the freemarket environment
of computer industry and their coming together meant
that some rationalization of these different regulatory
mechanisms would be needed if the new services were
to flourish. The greater harmonization and market
opening in telecommunications should now provide a
highly fertile environment for growth. This is already
bringing benefits to many businesses and consumers with
lowering of prices, improved customer service and
innovative service offerings. Though, the overall level and
structure of prices continues to have a major impact on
the take up of new services.
Internet, though the last to emerge on the scene, has acquired tremendous acceptance in India and the growth of Internet users has been very impressive. According to NASSCOM there would be about 10 million Internet users by March 2002. It would be interesting to go into the profile of the internet using community presented in a report of the CII’s National Sub Committee on IT Enabled Services. According to this report more than 80 per cent of the PCs sold in 1999-2000 were for Internet access and more than 4 lakh Indian household had Internet connections. The dominant use of Internet was for “search” (77%) followed by usage for e-mail (73%) and for software download (23%). The average use of Internet has been about 6 hours a week. The product lines are now in a position to converge through wired and wireless media, and “topple down” old business models and value chains. It can occur either through competitive substitution or through the complementary merging of products or services or both at once information, communications and entertainment (“ICE”) represents the converging industries of communications, media, software and the Internet, electronics and travel, leisure and tourism. Convergent technologies, which blend multiple streams of information into a single presentation on a single device, are central to the future growth of IT industry. IT convergence began with the digitization of switching and transmission and the utilisation of Intelligent Network (IN) platforms. Digital networks redefine what kinds of infrastructure are possible under the sweeping trend of convergence and highlight the need for privatization and regulatory changes commensurate with such developments. The hypothesis “diversity of applications and services increases whenever core technologies converge” holds good. Thus, convergence is entering homes and business with the extensive use of the Internet. This technology convergence can release customers from the barriers imposed by proprietary solutions, allowing organizations to develop integrated voice and data applications. Despite the convergence of the regulatory mechanism, the real challenge of convergence is in knowing how the information technology industry should organize itself to meet the needs of a market, expected to grow strongly in future. Further, it should offer the end user an attractive package of products and services that are simple to use and probably reach him in a wide variety of ways. Even in a reasonably enabling environment, hesitancy on the part of the industry can delay or deny the benefits of convergence applications for newly evolving services. The transition from State monopoly to an open environment where hurdles still exist is not easy to achieve in those areas of investment that are not properly field tested. To an extent, convergence between traditional telecom technologies and IP, that is, the convergence of voice and data communications is already under way. 
For bringing about convergence at the user level,
convergence of mind is the ultimate determinant. A key
factor in mind convergence will be the penetration of
personal computers (PCs) in the home, and particularly
multimedia and Internet capable PCs/TVs. Penetration
of multimedia PCs is considerably lower than the television
but Internet usage in the home is growing steadily
although from a low base. The PCs are becoming
multimedia capable fairly quickly, and increasing
familiarity with these technologies at work and in schools
will help to boost the PC penetration in home segment
also. One major change in the home has been the
transition from collective, family viewing of two or three
generalist television (TV) channels to individual family
members viewing alone, selecting from the much broader
range of channels on offer in today’s multi channel
environment. The multi channel broadcast environment
itself competes with packaged media, played on video
recorders and video-game consoles. All of this will
increasingly compete with the TV/PC, particularly with its
use on line.
In order to provide accessibility to masses in all parts of
the country and to derive the benefits from converged
applications like tele-education, telemedicine and world
wide web access, government should set up
Multifunctional Converged Applications Community
Centres (MCACs) at Panchayat level. The MCACs should
facilitate the Telecommunication services such as Local/
STD/ISD PCO, Fax,
computing services
like E-mail and
Internet access,
Information about
local data base and
creating awareness
about governments
programmes and also
to Exchange of Social
& Cultural heritage
across the country, technology guidance to use the
facilities like Telemedicine, Tele-education and E-governance.
E-Governance in India The initiatives towards IT at various stages of development/implementation of central government includes: India Portal, National Institute of e-governance, central repository of data, dissemination of information relating to best practices/innovations in e-governance, awards for best websites and innovative use of IT in the delivery of public services. In addition citizen service centers were set up for one stop and non-stop delivery of services to the public. India Portal is a user- friendly portal of all government web sites for providing information and delivery of services. Several state governments have taken various innovative steps to promote e-governance. One of the most popular as well as significant measures has been Chief Minister’s Information System (e.g. Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan), which monitors a range of activities from developmental programmes to redress public grievances. The Andhra Pradesh Development Monitoring System (based on a multipurpose household survey) has a database with spatial as well as non-spatial parameters of the entire population (75 million) of the state. Similarly, Vikas Darpan (mirror of development) of Rajasthan envisages GIS-based planning and decision support system. Andhra Pradesh has also introduced APSWAN (Andhra Pradesh State Wide Area Network), a state wide network for voice, data and video communication, which is the basic information highway for improving government-citizen and government- industry interface. The Secretariat Knowledge Information Management System (SKIMS) of Andhra Pradesh efficiently manages information in the secretariat. The Disaster Management System in Gujarat maintains communication during natural disasters. In Karnataka, computerization of treasuries captures every single transaction at all district and taluk (sub-district) treasuries. In Gujarat, VIDYUTNET, India’s first VSAT-based communication network supports real time data applications for power generation and distribution. The Government of Kerala has introduced the RD Net project (Information Kerala Mission) to connect all the 152 block offices in the state with a view to transform local bodies into genuine institutions of self-governance. Office of Controller of Entrance Examinations has been automated to bring about transparency in allocation of colleges to successful students in Kerala. In Maharashtra, the Connectivity Project has networked 3000 offices. ICT: Gateway to Promote Sustainable Livelihoods in India 
The use of ICT helps to bridge the gap between people’s
opportunities for self-employment in the informal
economy and the high growth sectors of the world
economy. In an informal sector, workers can gain easy
access to the Internet through tele-centers and obtain
information about markets or administrative procedures,
and to publicise their
services to a wider
clientele. SEWA has
started using
telecommunications as a
tool for capacity building
among the rural
population. SEWA uses a
combination of landline
and satellite communication to conduct educational
programs on community development by distance
learning. The community development themes covered
in the education programs delivered include: organizing,
leadership building, forestry, water conservation, health
education, child development, the Panchayati Raj System
and financial services.
The potential for ICT to bridge the gap between young
people’s self employment opportunities in local informal
sector markets and the wider domestic and international
economy is amply demonstrated by India’s
TARAhaat.com. TARAhaat or Star Marketplace is an
Internet gateway that connects the village user to
information about social services, health, entertainment,
and to markets, through a network of franchised cyber
centres, customised in the language of their choice.
TARAhaat covers all three components for rural connectivity: content, access and fulfillment. Content in relation to law, governance, health and livelihoods is provided by the TARAhaat.com mother portal. Access is provided through a network of franchised local enterprises. Delivery of information, goods and services is provided by local courier services or franchised TARAvans. The revenue streams of TARAhaat provide for profit generation at each step of the supply chain, serving to further cement its networks. The Maharashtra State government has plans to link 40,000 villages with Agronet, a specially developed software package for farmers, which aims to provide the latest information on agriculture. Communal access to Internet facilities through tele-centers or Internet kiosks offers opportunities for informal sector workers such as plumbers, vendors, roadside restaurant owners or garment makers to obtain information on markets or administrative procedures, and to publicise their services to a wider clientele. Communal access to the Internet is also useful for self-employed professionals such as journalists and accountants who may not have sufficient funds to purchase equipment and technical support to communicate with distant clients. 
“Agricultural Marketing Information Network (AGMARK-NET)”
ensures the
farmers with prompt
and reliable
information about
what is happening in
the market, what
quantities are
arriving and what
prices are quoted
for different
c o m m o d i t i e s
c o n s i d e r a b l y
improve the decision making capability of the farmers
and strengthens their bargaining power. The improved
communication system enables the producers to know
about probable markets where they can dispose of their
produce more profitably. The traders and consumers can
also derive maximum advantage out of their purchases
at low communication cost. The modernization of market
information system, lead to the efficiency in the markets
and increased participation of the farmers. This efficiency
of the markets and farmers participation in the markets
is increased. This increases the income of the farmers,
which in turn, activate them to increase the agricultural
production.
The project “Inter-city marketing network for women
micro-entrepreneurs through cell phone” launched by
Foundation of Occupation Development (FOOD) in
Tamilnadu has established a closed user group
communication network for community based women’s
organizations (CBO) to promote inter city direct sales of
products made by them. This has been accomplished
by providing the CBO’s with communications links by
the way of cellular phones that enables them to network
for marketing their products. This is a simple way of
applying widely available telecommunication technologies
to a traditional micro-enterprise sector with a very high
proportion of women’s participation. FOOD has
organized 200 CBO’s
in such a way that they
can interchange their
produce for
marketing. That is,
products made by one
CBO are sent to a
CBO in another area
for marketing.
Products being
produced and
marketed by the
women groups
include cleaning
liquid, soap oil, bath
soap, washing
powder, washing soap, rice, papads, pickles, juice, masala
powders, incense sticks, candles, skirts for kids, gents &
ladies wear etc. In this process, the production cost is
almost 50% less compared to the same product produced
in other cities. This is achieved because the raw materials
are locally available and the products are home made,
which does not involve much investment towards
infrastructure. Further the entire family works at a time
that is convenient to them. This helps them to maintain
their family and at the same time make use of their leisure
time more productively.
The mobile phone has placed international communication in the hands of “telephone ladies” in rural villages. Illiterate housewives in rural areas who not only use it to supplement their household income, but also found their social status upgraded and their self-confidence boosted. The possibilities are limitless for rural people to use ICT and break away their isolation, to improve their lives and livelihoods. Over time, it will be possible to set up extensive people’s networks with immense capability for sharing of information, knowledge and learning ‘for’, ‘by’, ‘among’, and ‘of’ the poor to combine radio, television, print, Internet and even geographic information tools. Conclusion As the world is transforming towards knowledge society, India too is moving proportionately competing with the world. With the increase of Internet users and the advancement of information and communication technology in India had boasted the development towards e-commerce in global economic society. The “reading aid for the blinds” in Indian local languages empowered the visually impaired to be full citizens of the information age. Tele-medicine applications now available make it possible to deliver health care to people in isolated locations. The use of low-cost communication based on the Internet in the health system will create the need for young people with ICT skills in rural locations. The skills required are to be able to establish a local area network or at least, once it is set up, to be able to maintain the network and to provide ‘help desk’ assistance for health staff to enable them to use the system easily. Re-engineering of the existing government processes and procedures is essential to bring about transparency in working, reducing bureaucratic controls, increasing efficiency and productivity, reducing cost of service delivery etc. Technological changes, convergence, and deregulation are taking place throughout the world. They have brought about rapid growth in several industry sectors, together with many challenging issues to address. Changes in markets have led to the convergence of ownership and services across national boundaries and have created gaps and contradictions in national policy. Driven largely by technological developments, which can be a boon or bane, for developing countries, the converging communication environment has profound policy implications. Visions developed for the future foresee the eventual emergence of an information society in India based on the convergence of telecommunication, broadcasting, and computers. In the context of India, it is yet to be seen as to which segment of industry leads the convergence phenomenon. In the global scenario, each of the three industrial segments namely Internet, television and mobile phones strive to be the prime focus and leader of the process of convergence of deliveries. Aware of the changing patterns of consumption, the television and computing industries in many countries are vying for viewers’ attention. Broadcasters and TV manufacturers are enhancing the interactive capabilities of their services and equipment. Today’s digital television sets can already function as monitors when connected to low cost Internet appliances. The TV sets with built in PC capability, including Internet access, will become an important feature of the consumer market in the near term provided its advantages afford sustained satisfaction rather than a novelty only. Acknowledgement This paper is dedicated to our parents Sri. K Elisha Rao and Smt. Marthamma who had sacrificed everything for us in imparting knowledge. We profound our humble sence of gratitude to Dr. Upender Reddy V for his sincere co-operation. We are thankful to Prof. S Kuppuswamy for his valuable suggestions. We also indebted to Dr. Marie Stanislas Ashok, K Palanivel and others for their support. Reference
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