TCIL to launch Internet access services

NEW DELHI, APRIL 22. State-owned Telecommunication Consultants India (TCIL) today announced the launch of its much-delayed Internet access service by June-end, via the 51:49 joint venture (JV) with the U.S. company JMS Worldwide.

"We will launch our ISP services by June-end where the initial roll-out will be in five cities including the four metros and Bangalore," TCIL chairman and managing director, Mr. A. S. Bansal, told PTI here.

In collaboration with JMS Worldwide, these services will be launched almost a year later than planned, he said, adding the earlier glitches in the procedures for selecting the partner delayed the launch of the service by nine months.In the next phase, TCIL will expand the Internet access services to 12 more cities and by the year-end it will roll out its services in 32 cities, Mr. Bansal added. The telecom access provider is also firming up plans to enter satellite-based telephone services to offer connectivity where basic and wireless phones are difficult to operate like high terrains and remote areas.

"We are discussing with the Indonesia-based consortium Asian Cellular Satellite Company (ACES) to lease their satellite services to us," Mr. Bansal said, adding TCIL might seal the JV pact by 2001-end.TCIL's talks with Thurayu Satellite Telecommunications for leasing transponder space broke down last year.

ACES has four partners - Lockheed Martin of the U.S., Global Telecom Satellite of Indonesia, Jasmine Overseas Company of Thailand, Philippines Long Distance Telecom and the satellite used for telecom purpose is Nusantara.

TCIL is also hopeful of starting the basic services in Bangladesh for two lakh villages this year in partnership with MTNL and Sam Pitroda-promoted Worldtel. TCIL-MTNL is holding 30 per cent in the venture. TCIL offers total telecom solutions for projects in middle east, south east Asia, Africa and Europe.

The company is targeting a turnover of Rs. 1,500 crores by 2003 from the current Rs. 1,200 crores with a thrust on global telecom access business.

- PTI

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