Tele Media International, an arm of the $32 billion Telecom Italia group, is planning to set up a wholly owned subsidiary in India as part of its efforts to build up a strong presence in India.
"We would like to double the size of business in India during the year. As part of our expansion plan, we are planning to set up a subsidiary here in the next one year. Since our existing partner, VSNL, will end its monopoly in international long distance telecom business in 2002, we will be able to partner with other companies as well," Ivano Rondelli, country director of TMI said.
Tele Media has been operational in the country since 1994 in partnership with Videsh Sanchar Nigam (VSNL) providing its customers with international data communication services using frame relay technology, under the service name of Universal Connect Datafast. It has a client base of over 90 customers and is the leader in its field of communications in India.
However, continuation of the company's existing alliance with VSNL will be decided by the strategic partner after the privatisation of the state-owned company. "We would like to continue our partnership with VSNL for a long time," Rondelli added.
TMI has a worldwide presence in 130 cities and towns connected via its own private frame digital frame relay network. The company, which has offices in Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi and Mumbai (liaison office) with a manpower of over 20 people, will set up offices in Kolkata and Chennai shortly.
TMI is a global operator that delivers end-to-end managed solutions in over 40 countries in Europe, North America, the Far East, and South America. "As the Indian telecom market is opening up rapidly, we will be able to achieve more customers. However, we need more telecom infrastructure to bring in latest technologies," he added.
It offers one-stop shopping with a full suite of global integrated solutions, ranging from managed IP VPNs, ATM and frame relay services through multimedia and value-added IP services. Designed to transfer variable levels of data, the company's TMIDATAFAST services in alliance with VSNL gives a seamless connection to over 44 countries.
Telecom Italia's network uses leading-edge technologies, such as fibre optics, ATM, high speed switching systems, network application platforms and seamlessly integrates terrestrial, satellite and wireless media. This makes it possible to deliver a wide range of advanced broadband and narrowband services.
