Despite Goa performing better than almost all states of India on a number of socio-economic parameters (per capita income, quality of roads, power and water availability), the state has fared rather poorly on providing good internet connectivity to its people.
Given that, it wasn't surprising at all when a very senior businessman said that Goa needs fibre optic cable like it needs highways. Gone are the days when internet was a luxury or an added attraction (cafes in the beach belt used to offer free internet to lure tourists not far back). Internet today is one of the best enablers of business.
If that wasn't the case, the telecom companies in India wouldn't have invested thousands of crores of rupees in providing 4G connections to their customers. In Goa, the reasons for investing in fibre optic cables for seamless internet connection are far more compelling.
For one, the state is home to a very high number of tech start-ups, which operate from all across Goa and not necessarily from the urban areas of Panjim and Margao. Therefore, it's no surprise that information technology (IT) companies have been the most vocal, when it comes to demanding high quality internet connectivity all across Goa.
Two, young techies will be able to set-up their business even in remote parts (where cost of operation and rent are a fraction of cities) if the government provides them with good internet connection.
Having said that, it is not just the state government, which should be held accountable for below-average internet connectivity in Goa, as even private sector's performance on this parameter is nothing much to write home about. There are only a handful of private players in the internet space in the state.
No matter whose fault that is, it is clear that Goa should take lead over the other states and provide high quality internet to its people. Tourism, which is one of the prominent sectors in Goa, will gain a lot, if good internet connectivity is provided all across the state. In modern day and age, tourists carry their work when they travel. A reliable internet connection will help them in working at hotels and even having meetings with their co-employees in the virtual space.
Meanwhile, the state government has maintained that it wants to attract knowledge based industries, which employ local educated youth. However, it wouldn't be easy to attract such knowledge firms, if the quality of internet remains as poor as it is now. On the government's part, it will require a change of mindset. Often, our politicians say that Goa has roads, power and water. Time is ripe to add good quality internet to other things that the state has to offer.
Given that, it wasn't surprising at all when a very senior businessman said that Goa needs fibre optic cable like it needs highways. Gone are the days when internet was a luxury or an added attraction (cafes in the beach belt used to offer free internet to lure tourists not far back). Internet today is one of the best enablers of business.
If that wasn't the case, the telecom companies in India wouldn't have invested thousands of crores of rupees in providing 4G connections to their customers. In Goa, the reasons for investing in fibre optic cables for seamless internet connection are far more compelling.
For one, the state is home to a very high number of tech start-ups, which operate from all across Goa and not necessarily from the urban areas of Panjim and Margao. Therefore, it's no surprise that information technology (IT) companies have been the most vocal, when it comes to demanding high quality internet connectivity all across Goa.
Two, young techies will be able to set-up their business even in remote parts (where cost of operation and rent are a fraction of cities) if the government provides them with good internet connection.
Having said that, it is not just the state government, which should be held accountable for below-average internet connectivity in Goa, as even private sector's performance on this parameter is nothing much to write home about. There are only a handful of private players in the internet space in the state.
No matter whose fault that is, it is clear that Goa should take lead over the other states and provide high quality internet to its people. Tourism, which is one of the prominent sectors in Goa, will gain a lot, if good internet connectivity is provided all across the state. In modern day and age, tourists carry their work when they travel. A reliable internet connection will help them in working at hotels and even having meetings with their co-employees in the virtual space.
Meanwhile, the state government has maintained that it wants to attract knowledge based industries, which employ local educated youth. However, it wouldn't be easy to attract such knowledge firms, if the quality of internet remains as poor as it is now. On the government's part, it will require a change of mindset. Often, our politicians say that Goa has roads, power and water. Time is ripe to add good quality internet to other things that the state has to offer.
