VSNL To Extend Its US Connectivityto Tier-1 ISPs
VSNL has invited global tenders to extend its Internet connectivity viasub-marine links between Mumbai and New York. The link, now terminated in NewYork itself, is to be extended to the Internet backbone and terminated in thenetworks of tier-1 ISPs. Apart from the above link, VSNL’s other link fromCochin terminates in the West Coast. The Cochin-West Coast link is also to beextended in the same manner in the near future. This step is being undertaken byVSNL to be able to provide Internet bandwidth on demand to its ISP and corporatecustomers.

Wipro’s NetKracker launched inDelhi
Wipro has launched its NetKracker services in the capital. NetKracker is the newbrand name of Wipro Net Internet services, which will target the general massusers. NetKracker.com is a whacky site with lots of fun stuff for the family,children, and teenagers. It has also assumed the sales of PCs through thisportal site.

Ami Online’s 5-way Net Services
Ami Computers, an IT service provider to software houses in Calcutta haslaunched its Internet services in Calcutta. Debuting with PSTN dial-up, ISDN,and leased-line packages, the ISP branded as Ami Online has future plans ofproviding broadband services both through DSL and cable.

Growth Compusoft Starts IoC Servicesin Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad-based Growth Compusoft has started its Internet-over-cable servicesunder the brand name Growth@Net Cablewala. The services will be initiallyavailable only in the "Navrangpura" area of the city. It has pricedits 250 hours, 500 hours, and unlimited hours packages at Rs 5,000, Rs 9,000,and Rs 1,250 per month respectively. Installation charges are one time at Rs4,000 and the cable card comes at Rs 600. Cable modem maintenance is at anannual fee of Rs 500. However, services terms specify that the connection cannotbe shared by several computers and it cannot be used for running an Internetcafé.

Freedom at Fifty for BSESSubscribers
On the eve of Independence day, BSES Telecom Ltd has introduced an uniquescheme called "Freedom at Fifty", which offers all senior citizensabove the age of 50, a 50 percent discount on Powersurfer Internet Accesspackages. Subscribers need to produce a copy of any document as a proof of theirage. This could be their driver’s licence, voter identity card, or even a copyof their ration card. The scheme is valid only till 15 September.

Hathway to Launch Services in Pune
Hathway Cable Internet plans to launch its services in Pune in September. Thiswould be followed by launches in Bangalore and Delhi. It is already operationalin Mumbai and Chennai. In Mumbai, Hathway currently has a 3,000 subscriber-base,including 300 corporate houses at Nariman Point. It has already laid 50 km ofoverhead trunk cables in Pune and Bangalore and has upgraded its infrastructureby moving to a fibre optic backbone. Also in the pipeline are plans to introducecable modem-based set-top boxes.

bplnet.com Comes to Delhi
bplnet.com has started its Internet services in the Delhi region. Anup Verma,COO, said it imbibes all the necessary ingredients from its sister companies toprovide multimedia Internet services based upon convergence technologies.

Wilnet Online in Delhi and Mumbai
Ahmedabad-based Wilnet Online of the Cadilla Group has expanded its services toboth Mumbai and Delhi. It also has the licence to set up an internationalgateway (satellite earth station) in Ahmedabad.

Sampark Online Announces Internet Gateway
Sampark Online has stated that its subscribers can now expect much improvedInternet access due to the commissioning of its international Internet gatewayin New Delhi.

VSNL Lists on NYSE
VSNL has become the second Indian ISP to list in the US stock exchanges byopening on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Last year, Satyam Infoway had takenthe lead by listing on NASDAQ.

Page(s)   1