CII-KPMG Report underpins Public-Private Partnerships

A report titled "Creating Viable Business Models for Inclusive Growth through National Optical Fibre Network" by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and KPMG based on the role of broadband for inclusive growth in India was released by the Telecom Secretary, MF Farooqui, at the CII Interactive Session and the CII’s National Committee Meeting on Telecom & Broadband.

Farooqui, in his speech, referred to the growth of the telecom sector in India. He referred to the celebrated growth of the India telecom sector and emphasized that the next level of growth will come from data. He highlighted the high transaction cost that the rural population has to bear for the most basic services and said that the NOFN can be used to eliminate these high costs.  

Kiran Karnik, Chairman, CII National Committee on Telecom & Broadband (2013-14), said, "This report explores some possible business models in the Public-Private partnership mode and presents recommendations arising from the extensive research and interactions with the industry and Government representatives."

"The objective of the report is to lay down some facts, provide some initial framework for Public- Private Partnership (PPP) but, most importantly, lay the foundation for a cohesive view and action plan of all stakeholders that will make broadband and ICT intervention impactful, inclusive, immersive and sustainable in India," said Harish Krishnan, Chairman, CII Sub-Group on Broadband.

The report explores how, using the national fibre infrastructure, commercially feasible business models for relevant e-services in areas such as education, healthcare, banking and agriculture can be built on the foundation of a Public-Private-Panchayat ecosystem.  This report is expected to serve as a useful reference for the Government and the industry as they jointly deliberate on how best the national fibre network asset can be leveraged.