MUMBAI, December 6, 2006 - Speaking at the CII CEO Forum on "The Network as an Enabler for Life's Experiences", John Chambers, Chairman & CEO, Cisco, shared his vision for the evolving role of the network with Indian business leaders and industry captains. The CII CEO Forum was attended by 300 business leaders. The distinguished guests were offered a preview of how Cisco is leading the transition to a network-centric technology environment by combining its core strengths—Internet Protocol (IP) and Unified Communications services — to create a powerful intelligent communications platform.
John Chambers, Chairman and CEO, Cisco said, "Cisco is in the midst of a market inflection point that is changing the face of networking. The network is changing how we communicate, collaborate, entertain and do business. It is no longer about the physical network alone but the human network based on the fundamental belief that when you connect people, you change things for the better."
For the first time in India, Mr. Chambers showcased to the Indian industry leaders and the members of the press an exclusive experience of a revolutionary new Cisco Telepresence solution that creates unique "in-person" experiences between people, places and events.
Chambers further added, "Networking is a strategic, high-impact communications requirement that is essential to drive business transformation and create real, sustainable competitive advantage. It is vital for emerging economies like India to take advantage of ICT networks to connect people and transform businesses in ways not previously possible."
Research indicates that more than 55* percent of in-person communication is nonverbal, and yet most existing collaboration tools do not capture the nonverbal messages that individuals exchange through face-to-face meetings. ICT Networks transform remote experiences by capturing such important interactions through a rich, high-quality experience that is almost the same as an in-person interaction, regardless of the distance between the parties
General S. S. Mehta, Director General CII said "It is indeed a pleasure to have John Chambers with us here today and listen to his vision on the human network. As Indian businesses go global, it will be important for them to compete effectively and yet maintain their rich culture of inter-personal communication that distinguishes them in the global business community. For years, CII has been working to create awareness on the current state of ICT industry and the associated business opportunities in Enabling India's Broadband Economy. Expansion of the Telecom network coverage will enable Indian businesses to leverage ICTs to be more cost competitive and enhance their productivity as they continue to grow globally and locally".
The ICT boom in India has been a driving force in the country's rising economic fortunes. It is helping to expand the middle class of 300 million people, open fresh opportunities for a new generation of business entrepreneurs, and bolster consumer demand. More than 72 percent of Indians live in rural villages, it is necessary for the ICT development to spread from urban to rural areas. The benefits of this technology must be experienced by all in India to improve the quality of life in the country. It is amply evident that the catalytic impact of ICT and the extent of its adoption are prime factors in the rapid development of the Indian economy. CII emphasizes the need to concentrate efforts both by the Government and the private sector in a PPP mode to enhance the Telecom and IT network infrastructure to cover 85 % of the country's addressable geographical area in the next Five Year plan up to 2012. Network expansion is essential to reach the unconnected masses.
