Digital Communities category at the PrixArts - Akshaya wins.

Tsunamihelp blog gets an honorary mention. [via Chetan Kunte, via Joi Ito].

I'd blogged about Akshaya in November 2004. Great to see plans for VOIP and conferencing, access is one part of it, communications is so integral to really bridging the digital divide. From their website :

"Wiring up Malappuram, 3,550 Sq.KMs spreading from East to West section of Kerala is a huge challenge. Connectivity Requirements

- Should support data and voice
- Should support Internet browsing
- Voice over IP,Multimedia, Video conferencing (at a later stage)
- E-learning

Minimum Internet bandwidth requirement:

• Maximum Information rate (MIR) : 64kbps & Committed Information Rate (CIR) : 16kbps.
• Should be possible for any of the Akshaya centers to enhance the bandwidth and/or download limit on request."

Also read Villages may get Net, telephony on cable in the Business Standard yesterday, where the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is planning a convergence of voice data services. It is expected to send a proposal to the government for allowing cable operators in rural areas to offer basic telephony and Internet services.

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