Hyderabad to turn Google’s hub for India-focus products

The programme to train app developers will make it easier for Indian developers to build solutions to local problems.

Describing India as among its most important market, Mr Pichai said Google will set up a new campus in Hyderabad and invest both in engineering and business development in India as well as work to increase internet access and develop products that are lighter and faster.

“We will build new campus, ramp up engineering presence in Hyderabad to make products for India; and increase hiring in Bengaluru,” he said.

Google is also working with Indian Railways and Railtel to launch RailWire Wifi, providing free WiFi in train stations. Mumbai Central will be the first to go online in January 2016, with 100 more on the way.

The Chromebit, a small device that turns a monitor into a computer, will be available in India starting in January, meant to help boost computing in the education sector. Mr Pichai also unveiled Google’s plan to use India as a testing ground for its products as it targets hundreds of millions of consumers in the developing world set to move online in the next few years. “We think that what we build in India will apply to many global places,” said India born Mr Pichai, who is on his first official visit to the country since taking the top job in August.

Mr Pichai expressed the hope to soon start tests for its Project Loon in India, which aims to bring affordable Internet access, even as the government holds the view that the project would come in the way of mobile transmission. “Project Loon will launch balloons in the sky to help reach out to rural areas,” he said. He said the company will work with carriers and is hopeful that Project Loon can work as a “backbone” to offer Internet connectivity in areas without coverage.

In India, Google has approached the government to set up the Loon project that has potential to replace mobile towers as it can directly transmit signals on 4G mobile phones.