Cable&Wireless India and BSNL sign MOU to accelerate business Expansion plans

Agree to share networks, telecom infrastructure and offer full suite of telecom services on a preferred client basis

New Delhi, 15th September 2008: Cable&Wireless India has today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s largest telecommunications company – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).

As per the understanding, both parties will leverage each other’s strengths by sharing their networks and other telecom infrastructure. Cable&Wireless India will support BSNL to expand its global network and provide better services to its customers expanding their global footprint; BSNL in return, will enable Cable&Wireless India to leverage its extensive network reach throughout the country.

The companies will also offer each other a full suite of telecom services including basic, leased line and local lead services, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Virtual Private Networks (VPN) services, Internet, Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), mobile and broadband services on a preferred client basis.

“BSNL is focussing on broadband, network monitoring and managing MPLS networks for big corporates as the next big growth area. We have plans to invest roughly $10-billion on network expansion over the next three years,” said Sh. Kuldeep Goyal, Chairman & Managing Director, BSNL. “It is therefore important for us to partner with a leading and trusted telecom provider such as Cable&Wireless, who have one of the most resilient network infrastructures available. I am confident they will support us to serve customers who are going global,” he added further.

Sri Rajendra Singh, Director (Commercial & Marketing), BSNL said, “We are confident that there will be mutual benefits from this partnership.”

Commenting on their customers’ current needs, BSNL’s Deputy Director General for enterprise business, Sh. Sunil Kumar said, “IT and telecom needs of enterprises are huge. Our aim is to become a one-stop shop for all their requirements in terms of voice, data, networks, security and applications besides others.”

“We intend to be the first customer-defined communications services business. Our prime focus is to understand what our customers’ business priorities are – and how we, as a partner, can help achieve them. Our new relationship with BSNL will enable us to have a laser focus on identifying and delivering a range of services to our customers in India,” said Sunanda Das, Managing Director, Cable&Wireless India said. “This development also highlights our strong expectations for the Indian market and builds on our commitment towards a great customer experience in this region.”

Cable&Wireless has been present in India since 1870 and supports over 200 multinational and Indian customers, with service coverage across key cities in India. Earlier this year, Cable&Wireless was awarded an international long distance and national long distance licenses by the Indian Government enabling it to provide high quality managed connectivity services to its customers.

About BSNL
BSNL, a Government of India-owned corporation, is the incumbent and largest telecommunications services provider in India with a pan-India footprint but for Delhi and Mumbai. It has a network of over 80 million subscribers covering all towns with over 69 million telephone connections. The corporation is an integrated telecommunications service provider with presence in the fixed line, cellular mobile, long distance and data segments with over 35 million fixed line, 34.5 million cellular mobile and 5 million Internet subscribers including 1.7 million broadband customers. To know more about BSNL, please log on to www.bsnl.co.in

About MPLS
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a standards-approved technology for speeding up network traffic flow and making it easier to manage.

About Cable&Wireless
Cable&Wireless is one of the world’s leading international communications companies. It operates through two standalone business units – Europe, Asia & US and International. The Europe, Asia & US business unit (formerly known as the “UK” business) provides enterprise and carrier solutions to the largest users of telecoms services across the UK, US, continental Europe and Asia, and wholesale broadband services in the UK. With experience of delivering connectivity to 153 countries – and an intention to be the first customer-defined communications services business – the focus is on delivering customers a service experience that is second to none. The International business unit operates integrated telecommunications companies in 39 countries offering mobile, broadband, domestic and international fixed line services to residential and business customers, with principal operations in the Caribbean, Panama, Macau, Monaco and the Channel Islands.
For more information about Cable&Wireless, go to www.cw.com

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