In India, cell phone rates are the lowest in the world. I spend around 200 Rupees (47.97 Rupees=$1) per month for my cell phone service. I get unlimited free SMS to local cell phone numbers. Incoming calls are free. There are no such things like contact and disconnection fees. There are rate cutter options. If I recharge with 49 Rupees card, I can call any same service number at 10 paisa (100 paisa=1 Rupee) per minute.
Indian government always plan impractical, useless to people, high cost projects. Another example: Chandrayan Project ( Man mission to the Moon).
ID cards to one billion people means it's a multi-billion dollar (or rupees) project. Huge oppurtunity for government officials and contractors (In interms of corruption).
Nokia/Symbian already proved their mastery in Software Interface designing with their S40 and S60 Platforms. If they could extend it further, they will challenge Microsoft's dominance in Netbook OS market. Nokia's recent partnership with Intel triggers speculation in this regard.