BSNL-MTNL to invest in undersea cable
The two state-owned telecom companies BSNL and MTNL would jointly invest Rs 1,800 crore to lay an undersea cable between India-Singapore with a strict time schedule and have commissioned a consultant for preparing a blue print for it.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The two state-owned telecom companies BSNL and MTNL would jointly invest Rs 1,800 crore to lay an undersea cable between India-Singapore with a strict time schedule and have commissioned a consultant for preparing a blue print for it.
The cable would be laid by Millennium Telecom Limited, a subsidiary of MTNL, in which BSNL has recently acquired 49 per cent stake for this project for about Rs 10 crore, said, BSNL CMD A K Sinha.
"It is a huge network. We have planned to complete the project within 18 months. We have commissioned one consultant for preparing the blue print," he said, adding that total investment would be up to Rs 1,800 crore.
Asked about the consultant, Sinha declined to divulge details.
Sinha also revealed that land route between the two countries was being considered through Myanmar, he said, adding a final decision would be taken soon.
On the time schedule for laying undersea cable, he said: "We shall try to do as fast as possible."
The project comes on the heels of BSNL completing its own undersea cable between India and Sri Lanka, which is likely to be commissioned officially shortly.
Earlier this month, Communication and IT minister Dayanidhi Maran had said: "In view of the future bandwidth growth potential, all operators are trying to have their own cable system to meet the future demand.
"India-Sri Lanka submarine cable project by BSNL will soon be launched. MTNL and BSNL have joined hands to lay the submarine cable system connecting India with South East Asia and the Middle East which would further extend to the USA and Europe," he had said.
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