Bharti Airtel launches global fibre-optic service

India's mobile services leader Bharti Airtel has announced that it has made an investment of over $500 million over the last two years for enhancing the connectivity of its newly unveiled 'global wholesale services' portfolio, which would enable telecom operators across 50 countries to access its services.

The Singapore-based service will open approximately 200,000 km of its international fibre-optic cables to carriers around the world, which will use Bharti Airtel's network but market their services using their own brands.

The portfolio includes solutions for voice and data connectivity, collaboration services, co-location, carrier outsourcing and content distribution through its high speed submarine network, the company said in a statement.

Carriers that have signed on for the new wholesale service include Saudi Telecom, PCCW of Hong Kong, and Oman Telecom, according to Bharti Airtel.

''The launch is another step in our journey of becoming a global network solutions provider. From being a regional partner for foreign carriers, Bharti is now uniquely poised to serve global carriers to and from any part of the globe,'' Bharti Airtel president (enterprise services) David Nishball said.

"Over the last few years, we have expanded our global network services portfolio in a manner that complements our investments in existing submarine routes to ensure flexible options for connectivity across all regions of the globe," Nishball added.