30% bandwidth rate cut expected as landing station access is opened up

The DoT is expected to introduce regulations that will open up access to landing stations of international long distance players for rival companies’ submarine cables.

Currently, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Reliance Communications, Bharti and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd carry bandwidth to India through seven locations. Trai had recommended to the DoT to allow equal access at the cable landing stations (CLS), including landing facilities for submarine cables, to licensed operators on a non-discriminatory basis, without any sunset clause.