Minister of communications and information technology A Raja today said that ultra low-cost computing devices based on Intel's Atom processor would soon be available at prices around Rs5,000.

Launching a unique ''connected Indian'' movement facilitated by Intel in partnership with industry and support from the government, Raja said this could provide the 'unconnected' citizens with a truly affordable, simple and easy to use access to the internet.

Raja expressed the hope that the price would appeal to the common citizen base and asked industry to continuously innovate to create cost effective internet access usage models.

The minister, who had earlier requested Intel to create a computing device at an approximate price point of Rs5,000,observed that the ''connected Indian'' movement would bring with it rapid broadband deployment and help harness the powers of internet to accelerate inclusive social and economic change.

He complimented the IT industry for working on a new class of simple, affordable, internet-centric devices like ''nettops''; ''netbooks'' and mobile internet devices along with affordable broadband connectivity from service providers.

Raja said bridging the digital divide was a key concern for India, considering that nearly 70 per cent of the country's population had been bypassed by the information - communications- technology revolution.

Referring to the recent announcement of the WiMAX and 3G Broadband Wireless Access Policy, Raja said, this would go a long way in providing true broadband internet access in the hands of every Indian.

He said, the government would ensure that licenses are awarded so that operators could create long-term profitable business model. He expected global silicon companies like Intel to facilitate the bulk adoption of broadband wireless thru a range of affordable WiMAX and 3G devices.