| MTNL plans to invest Rs 4 billion over
the next one year as it targets 14 lakh broadband customers in Mumbai
and Delhi. In the first phase, the company will invest Rs 1 billion
within six months. "We are targeting 2 lakh ports each in Mumbai
and Delhi within six months. We expect to launch our service by December-end
or mid-January," says MTNL executive director, Mumbai, RL Dube.
For the second phase, MTNL will pump in Rs 3 billion and install
1 million ports. "The pipe will be ready. We will offer high-speed
Internet on our own. For content, we will have a franchisee model,"
says Dube.
Ericsson quoted the lowest cost in a tender floated by MTNL. "We
decided on Ericsson two weeks back. The other bidders were quoting
higher. ITI Ltd. participated along with Alcatel but we rejected
them on technical grounds as they were offering old models,"
says Dube.
Unlike state-owned BSNL which went for the franchisee model, MTNL
opted to directly invest in building the systems platform for triple
play. BSNL had selected Bangalore-based I-Spatial to provide broadband
services on its network. The experiment has not been successful
and I-Spatial's investments are locked.
"We are in a position to spend money ourselves. The investment
required is not huge. Besides, the franchisee model is not working,"
says Dube.
MTNL plans to provide a wide range of broadband services using
its copper loop network. Several other telecom operators have also
announced their plans to foray into triple play.
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