smartBridges partners with SREI to set up the World’s Largest Wi-Fi network in West Bengal, India

Singapore, June 16 2007
smartBridges, a leading provider of standards-based fixed outdoor wireless networking equipment and SREI, the leading infrastructure equipment, infrastructure projects and renewable energy products financing company, are combining their expertise to provide low-cost technology enabled Common Service Centers (CSCs) in West Bengal, India.

In an agreement signed between the two parties, smartBridges will provide the wireless infrastructure and project expertise to set up 4937 CSCs in 14 districts of West Bengal while SREI will manage these centers and develop a self-sustaining business model. The project was won despite strong competition from Reliance Communications, 3i-Infotech and Wire & Wireless India Ltd “In smartBridges, we have found a partner with a serious commitment to R&D and rural connectivity project implementation expertise. smartBridges wireless products has the right blend of cost performance and reliability to meet the challenges of setting up CSCs on a large scale” said Dr. Sabahat S Azim, VP, Strategic Initiatives, SREI These CSCs will serve as a revenue tool for village entrepreneurs as well as several self help groups. This will provide additional employment to the rural population. Services like VoIP, eEducation, eMedicine and other information/technology based solutions will be implemented to improve the quality of life of the rural population.

Dr. Y R Rao, MD, smartBridges India said “The CSCs shares the same concept as my vision of Cybergram which I presented to the Department of Telecommunications a few years ago. The idea is that there need not be any more migration from rural areas to urban areas.

Communication/Information infrastructure through cost effective and innovative means will enable such a revolution. The fact that you live in a village will not be of any disadvantage to you“
The CSCs are set to be operational within 12 months

About SREI
SREI, the country’s leading private sector infrastructure equipment finance, infrastructure project finance and renewable energy product financing company commenced its operations in the year 1989. SREI is operating across the country with a network of 46 branches and has also expanded its operations overseas. SREI is the first Indian Infrastructure Financing Company to be listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). International Finance Corporation (IFC) Washington (World Bank Group), KFW & DEG Germany (Financial Institutions owned by the Government of Germany), FMO the Netherlands (Financial Institution owned by the Government of Netherlands), BIO (Belgium Financial Institutions owned by the Government of Belgium) and FINFUND (Financial Institution owned by the Government of Finland) are among the large stakeholders in the company.

About smartBridges
smartBridges simplifies how people across the globe access information through carrier-class, easy-to-deploy and easy-to-maintain wireless connectivity products. smartBridges intelligent, long-range and reliable wireless solutions are based on the award winning Nexus Platform. With offices in North America, Latin America, Europe, Japan, India and Singapore, this fast-growing company is a leading technology developer and manufacturer of outdoor wireless networking solutions for broadband Internet access and mission critical industrial applications. For more information, visit www.smartbridges.com