MUMBAI: Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) will be associating with technology major Microsoft to make an entry into the 'triple play' arena.
The two companies have decided to work together on integrated communications and collaboration areas which include next generation converged voice, data, messaging and video services to business and consumers.
The commencement of the strategic alliance is marked by the unveiling of VSNL's Tata Indicom Web Conferencing Service based on the Microsoft Office Live Meeting Platform. Under the alliance, VSNL will combine its vast communications network with Microsoft software to create rich solutions and services targeted at these segments. VSNL and Microsoft will also undertake joint Go to Market initiatives to evangelize and market these offerings in the target segments.
The two companies will work together on the area of consumer digital media services as well. This will include the deployment of service delivery platforms for the provision of subscription based instant Video and Music packages over broadband, and multimedia streaming over broadband and dial up networks, states an official release.
States VSNL director Kishor A Chaukar, "Armed with the combined strength of VSNL & Microsoft Office Live Meeting, our endeavor will be to deliver the next generation of real time communication to enterprises in India. Our latest offering will enable our customers to meet the twin objectives of enhancing team communication and reducing travel time. This alliance is in keeping with our objective of offering end-to-end managed services to our customers".
Commenting on the partnership, Microsoft India MD Neelam Dhawan says, "Delivering software as a service is key to improving access to IT, and ensuring that Indian enterprises and consumers can realize the benefits of technology. A few years ago, it would have been impossible to think of deriving synergies between the telecom and IT industries. The rapid growth of telecom networks, and adoption of IT - is fostering a marketplace that is ready for converged solutions.
The two companies is also planning to collaborate to provide hosted software as a managed service. These include managed hosted 'info-comm' services that simplify enhance the way businesses communicate, collaborate and transact. It will enable SMB's to access Microsoft software as a consolidated, managed and integrated service. It will also allow VNSL to provide managed and integrated voice & data services, the release adds.
