As per 2011 Census, India has 7395 Towns. 2613 Towns report a slum population of nearly 65 million or more.

Nil or limited access provisions of Internet connectivity in major parts of the otherwise developed cities such as, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore and others, has created disparity between the digital haves and have not’s. This has limited the ability of the latter towards access and digital equity, who are most often located in the slum or underdeveloped clusters, to harvest the benefits of mainstreaming themselves into the information and digital society. They typically lack understanding of Internet and its impact for the simple reason of not having access to it or that they have found it unaffordable.

Affordable Universal Access to Broadband is key to Millennium Development Goals

Development Plans of all Cities should incorporate a Digital Vision for the city regarding the future of its information and communication infrastructure. This Digital Vision should be based on the concept of Universal Access to Broadband technologies for urban marginalized populations. To remediate the disparity in human development through universal access, the plan should target broadband penetration of 100% households in these towns.

As Government is increasingly putting its services on the Net for delivery, leaving citizens with hardly any other means of accessing such services, universal access to broadband and communications infrastructure has to become a universal Citizen’s Right

Certificate Distribution

Mera Internet Project & Swabhiman Internet Kendra

Telxess took the initiative with support from Ford Foundation and PCMC to set up “Mera Internet Project” to bring the internet to dwellers of MP Nagar, Pune. Salient features of Mera Internet Pilot Projectare:

• Coverage to around 1200 marginalised households in the notified ‘Vasti’ Mahatma Phule Nagar
• Setting up of the Swabhiman Internet Kendra, in the vicinity, where computers are installed and all interested residents are trained in batches and certified in the use of computer and Internet basics
• Data collection and mapping the effect of the project through compilation and processing the data collected to help develop better City wide policies, plans and future projects for Digital inclusion.
• All residents of all age and gender receive Wi-Fi connectivity on devices like phones, tablets, and computers to access Internet 24×07.

Swabhiman Internet Kendra – key initiatives

Knowing that most of the residents have never used computers and will need to be trained, a significant component of the project is dedicated to capacity building. This is being enabled through the setting up of the Swabhiman Internet Kendra, in the vicinity, where computers are installed and is also the technical hub of the WiFi network.

• All interested residents (irrespective of age and gender) are being trained daily in batches and certified in the use of computer basics, useful applications and Internet, using a customized curriculum.
• They are exposed to the information highway and the myriad benefits which Internet can bring to their lives.
• Resident shall be made familiar with the local government’s online e-governance and citizen centric initiatives.