| Microsoft Corporation today announced plans to invest $1.7 billion in India over the next four years. |
| "Microsoft Corporation is scaling up its activities in India and the $1.7-billion package is not just for our business operations, but also for bridging the digital divide and strengthening the knowledge economy," said the company's Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates at a press conference here. |
| He said the company intended to spend $850 million on research and development at its five centres -- the India Development Centre, the Global Technical Support Centre, the Global Development Centre, Global Services India, and Microsoft Research India - in Bangalore and Hyderabad. |
| The rest of the package will be used for creating local language computing solutions aimed at providing affordable access to technology. |
| The company will also increase its staff strength in India from 4,000 employees to 7,000 over the next four years. Microsoft will also spend on developing software for low-cost computers at its Global Research Centre in Hyderabad. |
| Microsoft is expected to decide on entering the IP-TV segment in India with Reliance Infocomm. The two companies had signed an agreement in 2002. |
| "By the next year, we will take a decision on how to help Reliance in rolling out its broadband capabilities. There is now a renewed energy on the agreement and it will be the first time that we will bring it to developing markets," said Gates, who met Reliance Infocomm Chairman Anil Ambani here earlier in the day. |
| The $40-billion software major also announced that it would set up 700 retail outlets across the country and open offices in 33 cities to provide support services to its channel partners. |
| In its attempt to bridge the digital divide, Microsoft has signed an agreement with the National Institute for Smart Governance to set up an e-governance centre in Delhi for information technology applications and use emerging technologies like Radio Frequency Identification and smart cards. |
| Microsoft has earmarked substantial funds for the Indian IT market to provide customised solutions to customers across a section of industries. |
| "Microsoft will make investments in skills transfer and joint go-to-market initiatives, and will equip India's 650,000 developers with tools, technologies and training," said Microsoft India Chairman Ravi Venkatesan. |
| It will also collaborate with the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council to create customised knowledge networks for small- and medium-enterprises in manufacturing clusters across the country. |
| "Affordability is the key to adoption and we will ensure that there are computers for everyone and the India Research Centre will focus on low-cost computers," Gates said. |
| "The company will adopt 100 schools in six states to increase IT literacy and will launch several pilot projects for finding solutions to create a digitally inclusive society," added Venkatesan. |
| Speaking at a seminar organised by Confederation of Indian Industry in the morning, Gates identified bridging of the digital divide, enhancing literacy, increasing productivity and greater innovations as the key to India's growth. |
| LOG ON INDIA |
| |
Top Section
Explore Business Standard