Microsoft Corp. India and Hughes Network Systems India will join forces to introduce 5,000 broadband-enabled information and communications technology rural kiosks across India.
According to the companies, the ICT kiosks will be deployed across 200 small towns and rural regions in India, to be operated on a franchisee-based model. These are aimed at enabling technology for e-governance, e-commerce and education.
Hughes will offer broadband services, Internet access, prepaid top-ups, value-added services, education services and international voice calling through the Hughes Fusion centers. Microsoft, on the other hand, will offer free 12-day IT literacy programs for kiosk operators, to help the operators become IT literate and enable them to offer programs to the community.