Facebook will soon be following this small Indian chip-making company’s growth plans

Pruthvi, a tiny chip designed in Bengaluru, is the key to connect India’s rural population to the internet.

The postage stamp-size of the chip was made by Saankhya Labs. The chip powers a system which can use television White Space to beam Internet to scores of households.

This innovation is vital in today's India in the wake of the government's ambitious 'Digital India' programme.

"World over regulatory authorities are using or planning to use this spectrum for their respective connectivity programmes. India can take the lead in both technology and the markets for TV White Space-based broadband delivery. And how long can the government not push the envelope... It's got to be expedited sooner than later," said Parag Naik, CEO and co-founder of Saankhya Labs.

The company was founded in 2007 by Naik, Hemant Mallapur and Vishwakumara Kayargadde.

How will it work?

The firm has developed a system called Meghdoot, powered by its Pruthvi chip, which can utilise the existing TV White Space bandwidth available in India to provide wireless broadband to remote areas.

TV White Space refers to the unused spectrum between active TV channels that are traditionally used for over-the-air transmission using TV towers and rooftop antennas. In India, this mainly refers to the spectrum used by the likes of Prasar Bharti.

The Meghdoot product family consists of a base station and user-side modem that can together provide Wireless Rural Broadband using the TV White Space spectrum from 400 to 800 MHz.

The technology does not require line-of-sight, thus ensuring longer range, and can serve up to a radius of 10-15 km depending on antenna tower height and transmit power. The range can also be further increased with more powerful and taller antennas.

The company will soon conduct field trials in collaboration with IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi and IIT-Hyderabad across the country. They are also in discussions with Microsoft to do trials at Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh.

(Image: Indiatimes)