IGNOU, Ericsson sign pact for education using 3G Telephony

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has signed a pact with Swedish telecom giant Ericsson to provide access to educational content using third generation (3G) mobile telephony.
The university, which has 2.5 million students on its rolls, will initially roll out the 3G application for 1,000 students pursuing certificate course in information technology here. This will be a pilot project for the next six months, officials said.
Soon after the university has planned a pan-India roll-out, extending to all courses.
'With Ericsson's help, we will create a learning platform that uses mobile devices to build educational excellence and exchange information,' V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, the vice chancellor of the university, said after signing the pact.
'The concession on the 3G usages will be worked out with the governments and the telecom companies later. But we will charge a very minimal money, around Rs.25 or even less, for making distance education available through 3G applications,' Pillai added.
The IGNOU is also in talks with telecom operators like the state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd and Bharat Sanchar Nigam who have already already rolled out their 3G services to enable students to learn through this mobile-based application.