Expediting the launch of its international long distance service, state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam has signed an agreement on commercial and technical aspects with an overseas operator regarding exchange of traffic.
"Our international long distance services will be launched after signing of the agreements with international carriers and establishment of required infrastructure. But some agreements have already been signed containing technical and commercial aspects regarding exchange of traffic between BSNL and the operator," sources said.
The agreement also contains provisions regarding payment, default in payment and dispute resolution.
However they declined to identify the operator, adding the corporation plans to start the service shortly.
So far there are five ILD operators in the country and BSNL has been offering ILD services utilising VSNL's infrastructure on commercial terms. It signed the agreement with VSNL in January this year. But it has got an ILD licence to start its own ISD services.
The ILD market is bound to gather momentum once BSNL enters the segment on its own where it will be able to set trend setting tariffs leveraging its scale, size and reach in the country.
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