MarcaTel, a division of LaMarca Knowledge and Services Pvt. Ltd. which has a tie-up with Bluetown India (a wholly subsidiary of Denmark based Bluetown ApS, working in the field of WiFi technology) providing complete end-to-end solution for WiFi data connectivity across the country announced their foray in Southern India in offering exciting Entrepreneur opportunities in the area of rural connectivity. This comes in the wake of company’s strategic efforts to offer never-before opportunities in the Wifi connectivity thereby empowering consumers to become entrepreneurs in the smart, affordable and high speed data connectivity in rural India.
Detailing out the current Wifi scenario in India Mr Narayanan Rajagopalan, President and Chief Executive Officer, MarcaTel said, “There has been a paradigm change in the Indian telecom sector coupled with Government of India’s liberal policies that has fueled competitive pricing and industry consolidation. As competition is hotting up, the need to connect to the last mile at affordable prices has become a major challenge. The India market is quite exciting which clearly driven by strong adoption of data consumption on handheld devices. It is estimated that the total mobile services market revenue in India is expected to touch US$ 37 billion in 2017, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2 per cent between 2014 and 2017 (Source : Research firm IDC). “
“With rapidly growing Smartphone user base with high speed, Global Internet Tech companies such as Google Inc. and Facebook Inc. have already opted for Wi-Fi and public hotspots as a preferred route to deploy broadband networks Wifi Hotspots thereby making it an attractive proposition. However in India, most of the public Wi-Fi hotspots are venue-based deployments such as at airports and railway stations (0.5%), hotels (41%) and shopping malls, restaurants, coffee shops, and retail outlets (58%). The current size of Wi-Fi hotspots are installed in India stand at 31,000 and are poised to grow beyond 202,000 by 2018. However, huge gap exists between India and global average as additional 800,000 hotspots are needed to be deployed to match the current global average of one public Wi-Fi hotspot per 150 people.”
“Lauding the Skill India, StartUp India and Digital India by Government of India Mr Rajagopalan said, “MarcaTel has been conceived with a single-minded philosophy on three key pillars: Empowerment making the WiFi network to reach the farthest corner of the country thereby allowing the common access to information which in turn allows him to take empowered decisions, Employment which aims at generating employment at the rural level for maintenance engineers, business associates and Field Engineers across India where we hope to create about new Jobs and Entrepreneurship which distinguishes a new business model to fetch as low as 6 Lacs to start an enteprise of their own with a healthy ROI.”
“India with its vast and diversified market with stark social divides, a steady income is everyone’s dream. MarcaTel is a unique opportunity to a cross-section of people viz. differently abled persons, widows and even veterans from Defence services who can be self sufficient and lead a dignified life with self respect. Each of the owners of MarcaTel Wi-Fi Solution will be part of Digital India and contribute to the National Growth while ensuring personal growth.”
“MarcaTel wants to be the social catalyst in ushering in a new rural India which makes them self-reliant To this end, we have a sound backing of our partner with Bluetown India who will provide complete end-to-end solution for WiFi data connectivity across the country. We are driven to create WiFi hotspots by installing public WiFi towers which have range of about 1.5 kms. Adding value and convenience, it will enable Internet access in URBAN, SEMI-URBAN, RURAL and REMOTE areas. It’s a sustainable and can operate 24/7 on grid power, solar panels and rechargeable batteries. Extremely flexible and adapting to local infrastructure and connecting with the Internet through fiber, satellite or microwave, it is versatile in usage.”
Positioned as a game changer, we would like consumers to subscribe to the MarcaTel Network and start getting the benefits of using data resource hungry applications like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. MarcaTel using Bluetown technology will establish localized public Wi Fi – hotspots that will enable the consumers to connect to World Wide Web. Our ultimate mission is to create value and an array of entrepreneurs who will be the last mile service providers.”
“The pilot conducted recently at Paramathi Velur in rural Tamil Nadu which is installed and fully functioning has evoked huge response from consumers. We have invested USD 110,000/- and are working diligently over last one year towards market development. We have set up our Regional office in Bangalore and have hired senior technology and marketing professionals. We are now embarking on creating a large Franchisee Network of Micro Commerce.
Entrepreneurs (MCE) who will invest in creating WiFi hotspots and thereafter sell recharge coupons to the consumers. MarcaTel in association with Bluetown will be providing technical know-how, commercial concepts and profit generating methodology to the MCE. Each MCE will also be provided 4 weeks training by the ESSCIL (Electronics Sector Skill Council of India). Importantly, MarcaTel Public Wi-Fi will build on three core deliverables viz Drive knowledge and social content to its consumers, provide a meaningful platform for commercial advertising platform which will be precise and on target and highlight the various welfare schemes related to development.”
Talking about recent orders, Mr Rajagopalan said, “We have already bagged first four retail commercial order procured from Karnataka and we are in advance talks with Governments of Tamil Nadu & Karnataka. We intend targeting states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telengana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. With a strong focus on Educational Institutes, Private townships, Large Congregations, MarcaTel will be addressing retail segment in Semi – Urban and Rural India, it proposes to apply for all Government programs such as Digital India, Rural self employment, National Skill development program. We are also planning to tie up with Banks for small scale funding.”
