Connecting the ‘unconnected’
This case study enumerates how STL took the initiative of developing an integrated system, STL GARV, designed to instil a sense of equality in people of rural India. GARV is a supercomputer in the form of a kiosk that enables access to multiple coordinated digital infrastructure and services for rural communities. One of the many services offered by STL GARV includes providing connectivity to Union IT Minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad from Hyderabad to Thummaluru village in Rangareddi district through seamless video conferencing and skills training system.
Challenges that we faced (and mitigated)
- Low broadband connectivity
- Internet services not being leveraged properly
- Need to design a device with low power consumption
- Convincing villagers on benefits associated with kiosk
STL Solution to deliver excellence
STL designed a STL GARV kiosk that offers multiple services to rural areas. This brought first and last mile connectivity to rural communities. The kiosk, operated by a semi-trained operator provided by STL team, can be housed in every village and costs are covered through a PPP mode. STL GARV’s system provides seamless, robust hardware and software to support villages’ digital transformation. We at STL believe that digital inclusion doesn’t ends at broadband connectivity, rather it begins here. Digital inclusion can bridge the gap that has led rural communities lagging behind in infrastructure development and GARV will enhance rural living through digital empowerment.
