New York: Wi-Fi, the world's most pervasive wireless local networking technology is set to take a major leap in India.

The technology is a significant factor in the social and economic development in the regions it is available, the survey conducted by Tonse Telecom for Wi-Fi Alliance said.

The report, "Wi-Fi in India: A Key Enabler of Economic, Social and Community Development," cited growing laptop sales, rising broadband penetration, and pervasive use of mobile phones for rich content transfer as key harbingers of widespread Wi-Fi use among a growing segment of India s more than 1.1 billion citizens.

The study forecasts that by 2011-2012,the market for Wi-Fi networking gear and services (excluding laptops, handsets, and chipsets) in India will top USD 890 million, marking a 36 per cent compound annual growth rate from 2008.

With real estate development exceeding 30 per cent annual growth, deployment of Wi-Fi networks in new residential, retail and corporate construction is cited as a key opportunity for Wi-Fi device manufacturers and service providers.

The report profiles the work of a non-profit organization, Byrraju Foundation, which leverages Wi-Fi technology to connect rural farmers to experts in agriculture, remote patients to doctors, and young villagers to training and employment opportunities.

Source : PTI