Other Finalists : BSNL/ePCO : ePCO

With mobile networks reaching just about every remote area of India and

mobile rates becoming dirt cheap, PCO owners have been witnessing a considerable

fall in their revenues. BSNL which has a large number of PCOs in India, wanted

to provide PCO owners an affordable way to sustain their current business as

well as utilize its huge PCO network. With the partnership of Intel, BSNL and

ITZ cash, Project e-PCO has been implemented across six states in India, with

the goal of converting PCOs in the country into Internet service centres.

ePCO model is aimed at equipping existing PCOs with a computer (desktop or

notebook), a BSNL broadband connection so that they can offer Internet based

services to citizens in the communities around them. It's an additional revenue

model for PCO owners and small businesses, an entrepreneurship opportunity for

aspiring entrepreneurs and for citizens. It allows them to access Internet based

services such as utility bills, booking train and bus tickets, accessing

school/colleges results, admission details, movie tickets, astrology,

matrimonial services, job sites , mobile recharges and other similar services.

However, PCO owners have to make an intital investment of Rs 40k — 50K to avail

a PC, broadband connection and a ITZ cash card with a recurring cost of Rs 1000

— 1500 per month for paper, cartridge, electricity bill and broadbad. Tie-up

with ITZ cash also meant the citizens who do not have credit cards can also

peform transactions online. Intel's role under the project is to do program

conceptualization, awareness and initial marketing support & development,

implementation lead, aligning services, affordable hardware through channel

partners.

Currently approx 250 ePCOs are operational under this project. Also training

workshops were conducted at 22 BSNL SSA locations for PCO owners across 6

states. Under this, basic PC training was imparted to attendees and the business

model was explained.

Overall, this project not only offers additional revenues for PCO owners but

also brings benefits of Internet to rural India. The project is a demonstration

of the potential Internet to deliver citizen centric services and enable an

affordable business model for entrepreneurs. The investments in making Internet

all pervasive is going to bring down costs, improve accessibility, boost

consumption, and deliver overall inclusive economic growth for India.