Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) in close cooperation with BSNL, celebrated the completion of 25 years of India’s first C-DOT RAX at Kittur, Karnataka and its up-gradation to MAX-NG for NGN services.

The function was held simultaneously at C-DOT Centers - Delhi, Bangalore and Kittur. Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the Prime Minister on PIII in Delhi with C-DOT’s Executive Director V.V.R. Sastry chaired the function in Delhi. Vipin Tyagi, Director C-DOT & P. Raghavan, CGM-BSNL Karnataka chaired the event at Bengaluru. The event at Kittur was chaired by Jayant Bhatnagar, Director C-DOT and B. Krishna Sarma, GMTD BSNL for Begaum/Hubli.

The upgradation of MAX-NG would be implemented through BSNL network across the country within 2-3 years. NGN refers to an all Internet Protocol (IP) network which gives great operational advantages to the operators and subscribers alike. The upgradation program will bring VoIP and other broadband services to the aging fixed line infrastructure, comprising of its MAX/RAX switches. C-DOT has also developed NGN, GPON which will build broadband pipes to homes, SOHO's and multi-dwelling units

“The first phase of the telecom revolution has ended. We have 900 million phones. The second part of the telecom revolution is about to begin. This includes broadband networks connecting 250,000 Panchayats via optical fibre -- it is about transforming education, health, governance and the delivery of public services. This phase is going to be much bigger,” said Pitroda.

V.V.R. Sastry, Executive Director, C-DOT said, “It is a remarkable moment for all of us at C-DOT, when we celebrate the glorious 25 years since our first center at Kittur was established and brought smiles for the rural parts of our country. The MAX-NG programme will breathe fresh life into the fixed line infrastructure and bring to people of NER, VoIP and Broadband services, giving a fillip to business in Rural India.”