VSNL, C&W link up for connectivity

Videsh Sanchar Nigam (VSNL) and Cable & Wireless (C&W) have entered into a tie-up to provide enhanced global connectivity services to Indian customers. C&W's branded services will now be offered under the Tata Indicom brand in India.

Subsequently, corporate customers such as banks and financial institutions, IT companies and BPO service providers will now be able to access the C&W global network through VSNL's domestic and international access infrastructure.

Sandeep Mathur, president, Tata Indicom Enterprise Business Unit (Tiebu) said: "The number of customers wanting this services is growing and it is important to meet service level agreements. The alliance aims to offer customers unmatched solutions with high speed connectivity and also manage networks."

He pointed out that the two partners have entered into a revenue sharing model which would be on a customer-to-customer basis.

While explaining that the requirement for enterprises differ, Mathur pointed out that revenue sharing will "depend upon the multiple point of connectivity needed locally or internationally".

He claimed that several customers were interested in the services and an agreement is likely to be inked within a few weeks.

Phil Green, CEO, C&W Asia said: "The company has invested $2 million in infrastructure needed for specific interconnectivity for this strategic alliance."

While pointing out Tata group's investment plan in telecom sector, Mathur pointed out that the group will invest close to Rs 33,000 crore by the end of this fiscal.

"We have till date invested 50- 55 per cent of this amount which includes investment in expansion of network and also CDMA wireless system," he added.

The managed global connectivity services include asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay, secure dial, multi protocol label switching based internet protocol virtual private network with quality of service and managed private line.