MTNL to spend Rs 400 cr for Internet access at CWG venues

State-run telecom operator MTNL will spend about Rs 400 crore to provide high-speed Internet access at all the venues of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

"About Rs 400 crore will be spent by MTNL to wire all venues of CWG with high-speed Internet access to facilitate the largest sporting event to be hosted by India," an official statement today said.

Three interconnected networks for security, broadcasting and data will be implemented by MTNL, it added.

"Besides massive infrastructure works, significant preparations are also underway to ensure that information technology facilitating the games is state-of-the-art.

"All works are in advanced stages of implementation and will be completed well in time before the commencement of the games," Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Sachin Pilot said.

Telecommunications Consultants India (TCIL) is also executing works worth about Rs 85 crore for supply and installation of network switches at different venues.

These switches will be linked up for the purpose of transmission of games data and security data.

TCIL will also handle the supply and installation of computers at the games venues.

In addition, it will build an Intra Stadia Optical Fibre Network for transporting these signals and take care of supply and installation of office automation and audio-visual equipment for the games, it said.

The games will take kick off in New Delhi in October this year across stadia like Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Thyagaraj Stadium, Indira Gandhi Stadium and Chhatrasal Stadium.