Connectivity Providers Database

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:33:08 +0500 From: Irfan Khan <KhanIA@super.net.pk> To: s-asia-it@apnic.net Subject: Pakistan Telecommunication Company improves link with outside world Pakistan Telecommunication Company improves link with outside world RECORDER REPORT ISLAMABAD (November 16) : Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has announced the commissioning of its link with South Asia, Middle East and Western Europe (SEA-ME-WE-III) Submarine Cable System from November 1, 1999. The SEA-ME-WE-III is a 3rd generation high capacity of 30 countries led by France Telecom and Singapore Telecom for providing high capacity digital communication links of 10 Gigabite Capacity from Southeast Asia to Middle East and to Western Europe via the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea for 403333 MIUs KM (Minimum Investment Unit KM). One MIU corresponds to 2 Mbytes/See tributary equivalent to 30 digital voice channels each of 64 Kbites. With the availability of both the Satellite and Submarine Fibre Optic Systems enhanced quality service with diversity and reliability for International Communications will be provided. In the long-term PTCL will financially benefit from this investment in terms of high traffic, cheaper annual charges compared to space segment charges of the satellite and higher revenue yields in addition to efficiency. It will also reduce call establishment time as communications through satellite takes more time to establish a telephone call. For the first time, Pakistan has appeared on the world canvas of Submarine Fibre Optic Network. With the commissioning of SEA-ME-WE- III now the PTCL will be able to provide higher bandwidth for Information Technology and Internet services with minimum waiting period. This submarine cable has been laid by an International Consortium in which PTCL is one of the partners. Since November 1999 Pakistan is connected to the High Capacity International Information Highway, based on a Strategy for utilisation and pricing of the Fibre Optic System Capacity PTCL will gradually shift its international traffic from the existing satellite system to Submarine Fibre Optic Cable. The strategy including tariff for leasing the capacity to the private telecom sector and corporate customer will be announced soon. Copyright 1999 Business Recorder (www.brecorder.com) http://www.brecorder.com/story/S0010/S1002/S1002110.htm