BSNL, Dimension Data tie up for cloud computing service

State-owned telecom services provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and information technology (IT) solutions provider Dimension Data today launched a joint enterprise cloud computing service.

Based on Dimension Data's managed cloud platform (MCP), BSNL has forayed into enterprise cloud services through its internet data centres. The two companies have signed agreements with 12 others, including Indian Railways' IT arm CRIS, EXL Services, Federal Bank, Genpact India, Hindustan Times, India Today, KPIT Cummins, State Bank of India and Sapient Corporation, for providing cloud computing services.

On the data centre business, BSNL Chairman and Managing Director R K Upadhyay said the company hadn't any investment in setting up data centres; it had merely partnered Japanese firm NTT-owned Dimension Data to offer cloud computing-based services.

"We have invested about ~200 crore for setting up six data centres with BSNL…The reach of BSNL is huge and we are leveraging on the assent BSNL has," said Kiran Bhagwanani, chief executive, Dimension Data India. He added about 15 per cent of the capacity of these centres would be used within a year and by the end of this financial year, about 50 per cent of the capacity would be put to use.

Upadhyay said BSNL planned to expand its network by about 15 million lines. As of April-end, BSNL reportedly had 14.62 per cent market share, with about 97.1 million mobile subscribers.

BSNL, the fifth-largest mobile operator in India, is the largest provider of landline services across the country. According to recent data by the Cellular Operators Association of India, in Odisha, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala, the company had emerged the second-largest mobile operator by subscriber base.