Bharti inks pact with Australia Japan Cable

Telecom service provider Bharti Airtel today said it has entered into an agreement with Australia Japan Cable to interconnect their current and future networks in the Pacific Island of Guam.

The deal would allow both parties to offer services from Singapore and the US West Coast to Australia, Airtel said in a statement.

Bharti Airtel would be utilising its assets on the upcoming Asia America Gateway Cable System and AJC would use its assets on its Australia Japan Cable System. The cable systems would be connected in Guam, it added.

Bharti Airtel would be provisioning services between Guam and major hubs like Singapore, Japan and the US. The joint network is expected to carry commercial traffic by end of Q1FY10.

Asia-America Gateway (AAG), a consortium by 17 companies, is a submarine communications cable system that is planned to connect South-East Asia and the US.

"With the demand for connectivity to and from Australia growing multifold, a partnership with an established carrier like AJC is a natural fit with our endeavour.

"Our partnership with AJC, coupled with our investments in AAG will ensure options for connectivity to Australia from anywhere in the world," Bharti Airtel President Enterprise Services David Nishball said.