Biofuel to keep mobiles ringing in rural areas

 
Perhaps for the first time in the country, a pilot project using biofuels to power the mobile network will be implemented in Pune region. The first phase of the project that began three months back, is expected to go on stream by middle of this year and at least 20 base stations will be powered by biofuel.


A joint project between mobile service provider Idea Cellular, cellphone manufacturer Ericsson and the global trade association, it aims to increase mobile outreach to rural India that has seen low penetration due to power shortage.


Currently, areas having no electrical grids are being powered by diesel, "we have found an economically viable solutin. Cost is not the main project driver and costs may vary considerable by crop and region. Cottonseed, pongamia, Jatropha and neem are all being researched as a potential source for biofuel", GSMA Development Fund manager  Dawn Hartley said in an email reply from Barcelona.

Biofuel has several advantages over conventional diesel as a power source like creating employment for local people, cutting cost and generating ecofreindly energy. It is also reduces carbon dioxide emission by 80 perent and extends the life of the base station generators.

(The New Indian Express, 11th February 2007)