The village facilitation unit at NCRC is connected with the Village Information Centres through a wireless network that enable huge amount of data transfer in seconds. The leased line provided by BSNL enables the VFU and VIC to keep connected to the outside world.

Technology

The VICs use “Radio Frequency” technology for data transfer. The towers installed in each VICs and a main tower at the head office form the communication infrastructure. The towers are planned and positioned in such a way that all the Tsunami affected areas in Nagapattinam District are completely covered.

The Technology uses point-to-point communication and uses repeaters wherever the line of communication needs extension. It has been used for the flow of information upto a maximum 11MBPS.

This is a network integration concept wherein all VICs have its own computers which are connected to the intranet. The main machine, which is used as the server, is stationed at NCRC.

The VICs use web based application, which gives a format template for sending in the information and the fortnightly updation is being done at the Information Exchange and Communication Centre, supported by Catalysts Management Services of Bangalore.

Briefs of these updates are published in the monthly newsletter “Kalangarai Vilakkam” (means Light House in English) with contents on various topics.

Village Information Centres function in rented houses with the infrastructure of 2 computers, 1 UPS, 1 printer and 1 telephone.