Zylog Systems launches 'Wi5' services in Chennai

Company Brief

New Delhi, June 15, 2009

Zylog Systems India Limited, a leading global software solutions and services provider, announced the launch of ‘Wi5’ wireless broadband services in the city. The Wi5 services was inaugurated and accessed by Mr. Karuna Sagar, IPS, DIG, Armed force, Chennai. This WiFi service will enable customers to access high-speed wireless broadband connectivity through their laptops, desktops or mobile devices by subscribing to Wi5’s service on the move.

With this launch, Zylog enters the ISP business in the country and has obtained a category A internet service provider license to operate in all of India’s DoT circles. In the near future, similar WiFi services will be made available in cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata enabling customers access these services at any of the Wi5 zones across these cities.

Zylog Systems has adopted mesh network architecture, which makes the wireless network a continuous one and deliver high mobility, high speed, highly secure and affordable wireless broadband connectivity. Popularly called as the “metro Wi-Fi”, Zylog has adopted a business model similar to the mobile telephony network. Unlike ‘hotspots’– spots where wireless transmission equipments are fitted to provide wireless connectivity to a small area around it “metro Wi-Fi” will cover most parts of the city contiguously. The company plans to retail network subscription to individual users on a advance rental basis.

Mr. Ramanujam Sesharathnam, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, said, “We are delighted to launch Wi5 services in Chennai, as it is a city with high laptop and mobile internet population, familiarity with working online is implausible. Due to Wi5’s inherent technological superiority, the speed will be many times faster than conventional broadband and offers a minimum data speeds of 1 mbps. Wi-Fi based solutions have a great opportunity to provide appropriate wireless solution at feasible prices for large tracts of urban & rural India. Now people from all walks of life can benefit from a greater knowledge base and hence a better tomorrow"

Mr. S P Srihari, Director, Zylog Systems India Ltd, said, “In the next couple of years, the company plans to invest Rs.200 Crores to promote the new service across India. With its new services operational, Zylog is expecting revenues of Rs.500 Crores in the next 5 Years through this business. With 250 Wi5 enabled nodes already installed across the city, 4000 more nodes will be operational in Chennai by the next 12-15 months. The areas that would have access to Wi5 services in Chennai initially include; Adyar, Besant Nagar and T. Nagar. Zylog is expecting to complete city-wide Wi5 project by mid 2010.”

Mr. Janakiraman R, Chief Operating Officer & Director, Zylog Systems India Ltd, said “The emerging Indian broadband market is on the cusp of a huge growth curve. Today Wi-Fi is perfectly positioned to provide instant broadband access from devices that are already available, in a safe, secure and reliable manner. Wi-Fi is well suited to becoming a strong product differentiator for the millions of handhelds, Mobile Internet Devices, gaming consoles apart from laptops & PC’s that are being sold every month and we are delighted to have one of the first movers advantage in the WiFi space through the launch of Zylog’s Wi5.”

“India is fast catching up with the Silicon Valley trend of the latest technology user, furthermore, Chennai is now adding on to our country’s portfolio of an equipped metro. Our long term plan is to achieve penetration in remote areas using our low cost technology and a mix of distribution models including franchise model would be our mode of penetration.”, further added, Mr. Janakiraman

Zylog’s Wi5 services works by creating a Wi5 mesh network, which is done by setting up intelligent Wi-Fi nodes on roof tops in select buildings across the city, making the area a Wi5 zone. The company offers a pre-paid connection to its customers and to access the Wi5 services, users need a Wi-Fi enabled laptop personal computer or a mobile device or a separate Wi-Fi card.

Zylog Systems has also implemented Wi-Fi in Ripon Building (Chennai Corporation) and a trial run is in progress. This will facilitate the building be wire free and help easy and faster internet access for the officials at the building. The complete heritage building will soon have wireless internet connectivity provided by Zylog Systems.

The overall Indian Wi-Fi market (including WLAN hardware, systems integration and software services, not including embedded devices, laptops) is predicted to grow from the current $41.57 million to exceed $744 million by 2012 (CAGR of 61.4%). As broadband wireless access grows, the WLAN network gear sector will exceed $275 Million by 2011-12 from the current $23.1 Million.

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Tribhuwan Joshi

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