VSNL restores a major part of its internet cables

New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) today said it has restored a majority of its IP connectivity into the MENA region within 24 hours of the Egypt cable breakdown which affected internet services in the country.

On January 30, 2008, the SEA-ME-WE 4 and other undersea cables were severed off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt. These cables serve as the principal internet connections between the West Asia and westward on to Europe and North America.

They also connect the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia.

The impact of the cut cables resulted in degraded Internet service to and from the West Asia.

''Our cable layout and design allowed us to survive a double cable failure as well as develop enough capacity eastward across the Pacific for the internet to reach North America and Europe,'' said VSNL Managing Director Radwan Mousalli.

In the case of India services were largely restored within 24 hours of the cable cut by diverting traffic through the TIC and SEA-ME-WE 3 cables.

Services of Reliance and Bharti Airtel Ltd are also expected to be normal by tonight.

UNI PBB AK RN2012