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CYBERCHATTER The Future By Arun Katiyar
Some of the cyber laws which will affect Indian Internet users and entrepreneurs are drawing inspiration from laws passed in Singapore. Although India must lead the way in Asia, as far as matters online are concerned Singapore is the perfect example to learn from. In a country of around three million, there are two Internet service providers, and last month, amidst the Christmas and New Year festivities, the third and youngest entrant began providing free Internet access. A features war -- as opposed to a price war -- is inevitable. Doubtless, the outcome will help the usage and spread of the Internet. Already half a million people in Singapore have Internet connections, and telecom experts suggest Internet penetration will reach a stupendous 60 per cent -- nearly parallel to the penetration of telephones -- in the next couple of months. That, says Rob Stanley, a Canadian working with a software company in Singapore, "will pave the way for a knowledge-based economy". As it is, Singapore has embraced technology whole-heartedly: touch screens and ATMs were common sights in the country more than a decade ago. It should take to messaging information and building knowledge from it with equal ease. According to Stanley, Singapore, with its small but technology-savvy population, "presents the ideal test bed for development before it is rolled out to the rest of the world". One clear indicator of this can be seen along the streets of Singapore, especially the popular shopping area of Orchard Road. Internet kiosks, run by www.i-one.net dot the sidewalks, tempting people to step in and order food, clothing, perfumes, white goods and tickets for entertainment. The booths are largely empty. They are bound to fail since they provide restricted access to the Net. The operator, according to Arthur Y.H. Lee, director of e-business for a division of SingTel, made his money by offering advertising to companies like Pepsi and Motorola on the walls of the booth. "Otherwise," says Lee, "the concept doesn't jell." What will work however, according to him, are screen phones that allow you to have complete Internet access. That, doubtless, is the future. LANGUAGE PORTAL This one is in English, but it brings all Telugu people closer. Visit www.teluguportal.com to see a list of temples across the world, but more pertinently in Andhra Pradesh (links to Tirupati are most prominent), immigration tips, matrimonial pages (including details of various marriage ceremonies), notes on planning, landing, settling, socialising in America, salary surveys and details of shipping agencies and customs information for those returning to India. While the site does cater to Telugu people, it is also a well-organised site for anyone seeking information on India. A good place to look up, if you want to see how the Net can be put to good use beyond putting up pictures of your family doing the New Year routine. ADVENTURE 2000 Those who lust after bike trips into areas that are out of bounds should look up www.enfieldmotors.com, which features, among other things, a bunch of guys who have got permission to enter Tibet on their Enfields. The Chinese Government is allowing this under certain conditions, so log in to the site to be part of the trip and discover the romance awaiting you on Friendship Highway from Kathmandu to Lhasa. This is a trip undertaken by a group of people from all over the world, and when we last checked an Indian was on the team as well. Not many places left to be taken on the trip which takes off in March 2000. So, don't waste too much time before you log on. Y2K If you're addicted to the Net or didn't have a Y2K date, you were perhaps logged in to www.catchuslive.com. The site webcast live what was billed as the most spectacular entertainment event in India ever. "India 2000 Millennium Celebrations" were staged at Chowpatty next to Marine Drive in Mumbai on the night on December 31. The event, conceived and promoted by Wizcraft, was telecast live worldwide by Zee TV. Catchuslive.com has a lot of good images and animation, and offers surfers the opportunity to post millennium wishes to India. B2B Floated by DBS Internet Services, an e-commerce solutions firm in Mumbai, www.enterpriseb2b.com is playing evangelist for business to business commerce in India. The site, backed by Microsoft, Intel and International Data Corporation, explains the concepts, technology and business models involved in business to business commerce on the Net. It also covers government policies in India and abroad on e-commerce. Visitors can register for a free e-mail newsletter. THE BIG PICTURE The Indian Government has allowed private Internet service providers (ISPs) in the country to use foreign satellites and Ku-band for global Internet connectivity. Visit www.isp-xchange.com, perhaps the first site for Indian ISPs, to know more. With ISP activity becoming more complex, this site should help policy makers. Arun Katiyar is Chief Operating Officer of India Today Group Online. His e-mail address is akatiyar@india-today.com |
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