Saturday, August 13 2005 15:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: A global research center on Wi-Max technologies will be set up in Chennai through a joint venture between C-DoT, under the Department of Telecom, and the French telecom major Alcatel, Union Communications and Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran announced today (Aug 13, 2005).

The Wi-Max technology, which will allow wireless Internet over a large area, would help in providing Internet penetration into the rural areas, Maran said, at the launch of telemedicine by the private Space Hospitals in Chennai.

Maran said the global research center would be established next month.

"This will be a joint venture between French major Alcatel and C-DoT," he said, adding that Wi-Max would also help in providing the emergency medical care to the rural areas through telemedicine.

The Union Minister also announced the launch of 3Gm technologies for mobile phones in India early next year.

The 3G technologies, which allows mobile phone users to download data at 2.5-3 mbps, will help in video-conferencing and telemedicine facilities, Maran said.

Public sector telecoms Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd (MTNL) would take the lead by launching the 3G technology-enabled mobile technologies during January next year, he said.

"3G technology will be useful in telemedicine and it is next wave in mobile technology," Maran said.

The private sector telecom players were also expected to launch the latest mobile technology early next year, the Union Minister said.

On the Wi-Max research center, Maran said the technology, once developed, would help in providing Internet access to the remotest corners of the country.

Earlier, launching the first private telemedicine initiative in the country using V-Sat, optical fibre cable and radio frequencies of Chennai-based Space Hospitals, Maran said this would go a long way in providing the emergency medical care to the people in rural areas.

At present, four hospitals in Chennai and one hospital in Coimbatore are connected for telemedicine consultation with specialized hospitals.

"By the end of this financial year, over 200 satellite medical clinics, 1000 small clinics and 20 associate hospitals would be connected in the network, the CEO of Space Hospitals," Dr G Ravichanderan, said.