Tata Net launches Internet via VSAT

Mumbai, Apr 27: Tata Net, a division of Tata Indicom, today launched its product Tnet Explore, to provide internet services via VSAT to the remotest corners of the country, at its VSAT hub in Mhape, Mumbai.

Talking to mediapersons, company general manager, strategy and business development, Sanjay Tari said, ''With an uptime of 99.5 per cent and bandwith on demand, the service is going to bring a paradigm shift in the way broad band Internet is viewed within India. Also its reach is formidable with no last mile problem and has a fast roll out advantage.'' Based on the third generation technology 'ViaSat' and 'Gilat' offered by US and Israel respectively, Tnet Explore is considered to be a 'killer application', which would provide sufficient subscriber and bandwith to the customers who would initially be big corporate houses or residential complexes.

The launch package offered by Tata Net for 256 kbps varies from Rs 1900 for one month to Rs 47,900 for quarterly subscription and Rs 54,900 for one month with unlimited download capacity. The cost of the VSAT is put at Rs 99,000 plus taxes.

Talking to UNI regarding competition and growth expected over next few years, company's national manager Harish Keshwani said, ''At present Airtel, Bharti Telecom and Huges are other players in the field. However the company expects to generate Rs 35 crore this year and in four years time the revenue is expected to go up to Rs 117 crore.'' adding, ''the potential is mostly in the B and C grade towns, with no internet infrastructure and the last mile network problem.'' ''With Indian governments aim to make India fully connected by 2010, every player has a space to operate with no direct competition. Tata net already has big clients, who are using company's VSAT platform, we would just build on that, reaching forward to new clients,'' he added.

UNI