This basic facility will enable the spread of Information Technology throughout the state. To promote establishment of software firms and generation of employment opportunities not only at Chennai and Coimbatore, but in other parts of the state as well, Satellite Earth Stations are being established at Madurai and Tiruchirappalli. A Point of Presence linked to the Madurai Earth Station is also being set up at Tirunelveli. The magnificent Tidel Park set up with all modern facilities at Taramani in Chennai is functioning successfully. Consequently, the Government has decided to create a second Tidel Park close to the existing one .
Internet kiosks are now widespread in all towns and cities.
Such kiosks will soon come up in villages also. A pilot project will shortly be implemented in Madurai district to provide internet-telephone connectivity in villages based on indigenous wireless technology developed by Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai. This will be the first of its kind in India. I am happy to announce that the Tamil Virtual University will be launched in February. This University will enable people all over the world to learn Tamil and to know about the history, art, literature and culture of the Tamil people using the Internet.