New Delhi, July 19: International data and voice communications services operator Tata Communications is set to become the world’s first entity to own a contiguous undersea cable network running around the globe.

 

The company is also adding one terabit lit capacity and expanding its enterprise communications services to at least eight more countries this year.

 

Speaking to Business Line Mr James Walker, Vice-President (Global VPN Services), Tata Communications, said, “Despite the global economic slowdown we are seeing good pace of growth in the enterprise business. We are expanding our presence to countries such as Kenya, West Asia and Latin America.

 

“This year we will add one terabit of lit capacity on our network. By the end of the year Tata Communications will have undersea cable network right around the globe in the form of a ring — making it the first to do so.”

 

Tata Communications currently owns the Tata Global Network, which includes TGN Atlantic, TGN Western Europe, TGN Northern Europe, TGN Pacific, TGN Intra Asia. The company is also a partner in consortium cables including SeMeWe3, SeMeWe4, SAFE/SAT 3, and APCN 2. Currently, the total lit capacity is over 2 terabyte and is the world’s largest carrier of voice traffic.

 

Making presence felt

Tata Communications has offices in about 40 countries and has partnerships for enterprise services with local players in 75 countries.

 

According to Mr Walker, the company will be looking to expand its presence to another eight countries.

 

“We are working on a project in the Middle East but I cannot give details. We are also open to acquisitions if there is an opportunity that fits in with our business strategy,” he said.

 

The company had earlier announced its foray into China, giving it access to one the largest telecom markets in the world.

 

“We are ideally positioned since we have good presence in India, China and Africa — three regions with the fastest growing communications market,” Mr Walker said.