Tata Planning US$1 Billion WiMAX Rollout in India

India's Tata Communications, formerly known as VSNL has announced plans to spend up to US$2 billion over the next three years on expanding its network. About half the expenditure will be on a WiMAX network which will cover 15 cities by 2009. Currently, WiMax services are available only in Bangalore.

"We have already started providing WiMAX wireless broadband in Bangalore. We will focus on 15 metros and mini metros this year. Calcutta will be part of the first phase of expansion. We will be using the existing towers of Tata Teleservices to offer WiMAX services. The operation will commence with 300 to 500 cell sites in each metro," said Srinivasa Addepalli, senior vice-president corporate strategy, Tata Communications.

The remainder will be spent on submarine cables and network enhancement.

Srinivasa Addepalli also said that the company is also expanding its VPN services to include just under 350 cities in China through a partnership with China Entercom.

Posted to the site on 27th February 2008