As the Indian internet celebrates its 10th anniversary, one can look at the past decade as a tale of missed opportunities. We should have had 100 million users (we have about a quarter that), we should have had 'real' high-speed broadband available cost-effectively and on-demand (we are just about starting on this), and we should have had a range of innovative services to make the internet a utility in our lives (we are still far away from that).

The internet could have been the transformative force in its wired and wireless forms for both consumers and enterprises-but it hasn't. A lack of vision from policymakers, the high cost of bandwidth, a paucity of venture capital, the relatively high cost of computers, and perhaps most importantly, a dearth of compelling content and innovative services have limited the growth of internet 1.0 in India.

Going ahead, the story can and will be very different. The second decade of the Indian internet will go a long way in fulfilling the promise of the first. Converged next-generation networks will make the 'Evernet'-a ubiquitous, always-available, high-speed network -a reality, limiting the impact of flawed policies. Bandwidth prices are falling rapidly due to competition and a realisation that the more one gives, the more people w