Ex Orange boss promotes universal broadband
12th May 2008
Following his resignation as chief executive officer of Orange, Sanjiv Ahuja has looked for a new challenge.
According to PC World, Mr Ahuja’s new company Augere aims to dramatically improve internet access in parts of the developing world where online services are often non-existent.
"More than 90 percent of the world’s countries have a broadband penetration of less than two percent," said Mr Ahuja, who visited Cairo recently to speak at Telecom Africa 2008.
In an effort to solve this problem, he suggests that widespread availability of desktop computers - not laptops - needs to be encouraged.
He says that ideally, he would like to see internet-enabled desktops widely available for less than $300 (£150).
Although he is yet to reveal the specifics of his new project, he asserts that wireless technology will be integral to improving broadband access.
Mr Ahuja explains that the infrastructural development necessary for conventional fixed-line broadband services is too costly to be effective on a wide scale.
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