GAIL to benefit from changed licensing scenario in Telecom

New Delhi, November 11, 2005: GAIL plans to acquire the new NLDO license for entering the national long distance telephony segment of the 80000 Crore telecom market, estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 30%.This license will also enable GAIL to provide virtual private network (VPN) services to entire corporate sector and in particular 500 business houses who are already buying natural gas and are well connected with GAIL's OFC network. In addition, the launching of Project-Triveni wherein POWERGRID, RAILTEL and GAIL have joined hands to create second biggest optic fiber network with a reach of 60000 Kms across the length and width of the country is likely to be much sought by the new NLDO operators as well, as laying of optic fiber by new comers is cost prohibitive. The dual action, i.e lowering of the entry barriers coupled with the permission for internet telephony within the country will also lead to emergence of large no.of VOIP service providers in line with the western world. All these players will seek bandwidth from a network like TRIVENI. This will also give much needed boost to the TRIPLE PLAY SERVICES (VIDEO ON DEMAND, VOICE OVER INTERNET , INTERNET BROWSING), a really revenue booster in developed telecom world.