VSNL to build $250-million Express TGN Eurasia Cable System with SEACOM, Telecom Egypt

Tata Group company and leading communications solutions provider, VSNL, today said that it is constructing a new TGN Eurasia Cable System linking Mumbai directly to Paris, London and Madrid via Egypt.

The new cable system is being built in partnership with SEACOM and Telecom Egypt (TE), and will provide VSNL with 1.28 terabit of new capacity on this route during 2009.   
The TGN Eurasia Cable System will offer express connectivity between India and Europe, and will also have future options for additional connectivity in the Gulf region as well as multiple locations in Europe.  The TE North solution was selected based upon TE's long experience in operating this route in a highly reliable fashion as well as offering diversity from both current and future consortium systems.

When combined with VSNL's significant capacity ownership on other cable systems and it's privately owned TGN Atlantic and TGN-TIC cable systems, the TGN Eurasia Cable System will enable the company to offer seamless and diverse connectivity between India, South East Asia, South Africa, Western Europe and the US.

''The plans to build the TGN-Eurasia Cable System coupled with our recent announcement to build the TGN-Intra Asia Cable System is a major step towards VSNL's vision to offer seamless global connectivity at affordable prices,'' said Vinod Kumar, president, Global Data Solutions, VSNL. 

''The TGN Eurasia Cable System will serve the increasing demand for bandwidth in the region and offer more options for route diversity and redundancy. Moreover, the path will complement the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 cable systems and will enable us to provide global express capacity solutions from India going West, and with TGN-TIC, from India going East.''

''This partnership with VSNL allows connectivity for the SEACOM network into emerging global markets including key destinations like India and Europe as well as onward connectivity to South East Asia and the USA,'' said Brian Herlihy, President of SEACOM. ''We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with a truly international provider with a world-class submarine cable network, to support our customer connectivity needs.''

''Telecom Egypt admires VSNL's expertise and global leadership in the bandwidth business and their proven skills in cable development and build-outs'' said Mohamed Elnawawy, VP, international, wholesale and regulatory affairs, Telecom Egypt. ''We look forward to working with VSNL as a TE North anchor customer. VSNL's track record of innovation will enrich the project and empower the customers.''
 
This system was made possible through VSNL's partnerships with TE and SEACOM, which will help cater to the surging demand in bandwidth from Africa to both the developed and emerging markets. VSNL maintains a global transmission network of over 206,356 route kilometres comprising of both terrestrial and submarine cable assets.