PSU BSNL and chip maker Intel India today joined hands for a new initiative called ‘Meri Manzil Mera Pehela Kadam’ with an aim to drive PC and broadband penetration further into the rural parts of the country.

As expected, Intel hopes to push WiMAX through this initiative. Intel South Asia, MD, Sales & Marketing Group, R Sivakumar said on the occasion, “We have been working steadily with our partners to provide a slew of affordable computing devices with the Intel Atom processors to enable easy access to the Internet. Intel believes that the WiMAX broadband technology can help bridge the digital divide in India and is certain that with this initiative we will make it easy for people to own their first PC and explore the internet thereby bringing about a positive change in their lives.”

Intel will also offer its range of Netbooks and Nettops as part of the initiative with the latter being computing devices for first time users and children and capable of performing basic computing applications, listening to music, emailing and surfing the internet.

The devices will be equipped with ‘Darpan’ which will be a local language interface aimed at simplifying the usage of computing devices. Initially the device will support Hindi, Tamil and Marathi languages.

Talking about this initiative Mr. R.K. Aggarwal, Director (Consumer Mobility) from BSNL said “The Internet is fast emerging as a defining step in education, communication, business and entertainment. Through our host of connectivity solutions and partnership with Intel we aim to create awareness amongst citizens on the benefits of the Internet and what it can enable. We are working closely with Intel to accelerate WiMAX broadband connectivity across India with the aim of bridging digital divide and extend the benefits of technology to millions of Indians.”