Setting aside security concerns, state-run Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd (PTCL) has signed MoUs with two Indian telecom companies to provide cable link between the two countries through the Wagah border. | |
| Telecom giants Reliance and BNC inked the agreement, while Indian Telecom was expected to join the pact shortly, officials said. |
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| This is the first time that Pakistan has opted to have a direct link with India in the telecom sector. Last year, Indian companies were not permitted to take part in the bidding of privatisation of PTCL. |
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| "Pakistan is ready to make the new cable operational as early as in a month. We are waiting for the final go-ahead from India," the Daily Times quoted a top PTCL executive as saying. |
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| Pakistan showed interest in having an optic-fibre cable telecom link with India, ever since Internet services were disrupted across the country last year, due to the snapping of an international undersea cable. |
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| Since then Pakistan opted for another alternative cable and decided to have the cable link with India, despite concerns expressed by security agencies. |
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| "It will be a very cost-effective operation providing quality voice communication between the two countries. The project is being taken up keeping in mind future traffic requirements," he said. |
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