The project, which is aimed at showing that viable markets exist for information and communication services in rural poor areas, will be formally launched on January 25, said Mr Ashok Jhunjhunwala, professor, IIT Madras. Meanwhile, n-Logue Communications, a company, which has been floated by the TeNet group of IIT Madras, will execute the SARI project. The TeNeT Group, which was formed by several faculty of IIT, Madras, focuses on developing solutions for telecom and Internet access. The first major effort of the Group was the development of the corDECT Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) system.According to Mr Jhunjhunwala, who is also known as the father of the corDECT WLL, "The SARI project will provide 3,000 connections by the mid-February." The Internet services will be provided through an ISP license and will be enabled by leasing bandwidth from BSNL in Madurai. Voice will be provided by operating a Rural Group DID-EPABX (Direct Inward Dialling EPABX) in the area. This will be enabled by leasing E1 lines from BSNL. All voice calls will be handed over at the local exchange.

In the first phase, 50 connections will be provided along with handsets and PCs. A kiosk will be set up in each village to service the needs of the people in that village. Separate connections will be provided to schools, colleges, primary health centres, etc. Dhan Foundation, the project partner in Madurai will assist in training personnel to manage these connections and introduce people to the Internet. According to Mr Jhunjhunwala: "The ultimate goal of the project is to link these activities to sustainable human development objectives. SARI will be self-sustainable financially, even as it reaches into the poorest and most disadvantaged communities." "SARI's magnitude is essential because it will allow us to benefit from the Network Effect, which will be far more empowering than a few connections placed only in more urban areas," he explained. The large number of users helps support financial viability by aggregating demand.