The success of India's broadband policy will depend on the government clearly articulating the strategic role it expects broadband to play in delivering socio-economic gains to all stakeholders. Different users leverage the intrinsic functionalities of a broadband network differently. The more common uses are high-speed, always-on access to the internet, efficient net search, accessing rich media sites (news, entertainment, sports etc), research-based download of files, business-based connectivity, including downloads, financial services, distribution of user-generated content, etc. Experience tells us it is only after a country has specified the prime mover applications from a strategic perspective that robust support for ubiquitous, cost-effective broadband networks comes about at the political, bureaucratic and consumer levels.