India is likely to have 230 million 3G subscribers by 2013. This steep rise in 3G subscription is the result of decline in prices of third generation (3G)-enabled mobile phone handsets. According to reports, the prices of these hand sets have come down to Rs.2, 000. All the predictions were made by the chairman of Qualcomm Inc, Irwin Jacobs while addressing a seminar on 'Diffusion of wireless innovation - enriching lives' at New Delhi. He further informed that his company has already started to develop technologies that will enable to realise the plans for India.

 

The company has developed an application called Fisher Friend which will disseminate crucial information to the fishermen regarding weather conditions, market prices and places of prospective fishing in their region. Jacobs informed that in 2007, Qualcomm Inc had provided useful information to tsunami-hit fishermen in Tamil Nadu with the help of its mobile phone services. The information helped the fisherman community to earn their livelihood with proper safety measures during the time of greatest natural disaster.

 

The wireless technology is likely to have a great impact in India. According to the chairman of Wipro, Azim H. Premji, with a view to upgrade the quality and reach of elementary education in rural India, the company has planned to take the help of wireless technology. He added that information and communication technologies will enable to transform the quality of education in rural schools which are generally funded by the government.