The Hindu Business Line : Telecom equipment makers launch broadband forum

The Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association of India (TEMA) President, Mr N. K. Goyal, told newspersons that the forum would focus on creating three million broadband users by 2006, 10 million by 2008 and 20 million by 2010.

The forum will be guided by an advisory board consisting of six ICT (information and communication technology) professionals in India. It aims to provide technical, strategic and marketing support to various entities involved in the broadband segment to promote, deliver and sustain profitable broadband products, services and businesses in the country.

The Krone Communications Managing Director, Mr Bala Chandran, said not many companies were equipped to align themselves appropriately in this emerging market today, and it is unlikely that they will be able to become winners alone and all by themselves.

"Companies will need to focus on key areas of strength, forming alliances and partnerships to compliment their overall position in the market. The IBF will precisely address this," Mr Chandran said.

Mr Chandran is the vice-president of the new forum.

Xalted to invest Rs 100 crore: Broadband technology firm, Xalted Information Systems Pvt Ltd, will invest Rs 100 crore in the next 18 months to develop broadband applications in the country.

Promoted and funded by US-based venture capital firm, Charter Venture Capital, Bangalore-based Xalted has developed broadband applications such as video streaming, interactive TV and Internet on TV.

"All these applications have been developed in Bangalore by our engineers. We have deployed several of our technologies with our customers abroad," the Xalted Chairman, Mr Pratap S. Kondamoori, said during the launch of the forum.

Mr Kondamoori is a partner with the $400-million Charter VC and has invested Rs 250 crore in Xalted. He has also acquired the firms Cysteam in Italy and Carona Networks in the US.