Sify Inks Pact With Uunet For Net Access

Satyam Infoway Ltd, a subsidiary of Satyam Computer Services Ltd, has entered into an agreement with UUNET Technologies - a $3.5 billion MCI WorldCom group company - to provide dial-up Internet-access services.

Revenues will be derived from the use of Satyam Infoway's networks by UUNET's customers. Satyam Infoway offers Internet services in 40 cities in the country, and has more than 1.5 lakh subscribers.

UUNET Technologies owns an Internet network across North America, Europe and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. Its businesses include web hosting, remote access, co-location and other value-added services, for which it is appointing local resellers in India.

UUNET is looking at India seriously, and has major plans for expanding its operations in the country through resellers initially. UUNET has nine live data centres in the US, UK and continental Europe, and has plans of setting up one in India as well.

The agreement with UUNET will offer Satyam major advantages of synergy. Besides Internet access, Satyam Infoway's stream of revenues include website design, hosting, advertisements on the Net, and e-commerce transactions. These business interests will also be boosted by this agreement.

Satyam Infoway is already in partnership with Loral Space & Communications, a US-based Internet service provider, to launch private international gateways to the Net to increase connectivity with North America.

The company has entered into another partnership with Singapore Telecom

to set up five Internet gateways in the country.

Meanwhile, Satyam Infoway is working on setting up operations in Australia. It has bought software worth Rs 8.76 crore from Sterling Commerce for expanding its operations in Australia.

Meanwhile, Satyam Infoway has increased its income from Rs 10.38 crore in the previous year to a shade over Rs 77 crore in the year ended March 31. This includes Rs 65.34 crore earned from sales and services.