Institute For The Future

India Telecom: Everyone's Going Wireless

India's telephone infrastructure has improved of late because it has taken the wireless route. Nearly everyone has a mobile phone these days. In fact, the mobile companies are targeting both the rich and the poor, and their ads emphasize that you don't have to be rich to afford a mobile. Most people buy pay-as-you-go services, which are generally cheaper. An interesting addition to the telecom mix I have noticed since my last visit three years ago is WLL (Wireless Local Loop) phones. The phone comes with the antenna and does not need a hard wire to operate. It works within a 2 km radius of the house. Most Indian households are choosing this phone as a substitute for a land line. WLL phone service is provided by private operators, so getting a new connection is hassle free, unlike getting a land line which involves cutting through red tape as that system is still owned by the government.