TL 9000 is an ISO-based process system which has been developed by the worldwide telecom industry to set standards for ensuring delivery of high quality goods and services to its customers. The standards are based on the world famous ISO 9000 / 2000 system with an addition of 88 clauses specifically covering the requirements of the telecom industry. The QuestForum, an USA-based organisation which is the administrator of the TL 9000 standards, hosts a website which can be accessed by anyone, to learn more about the system. As of date, there are more than 500 companies which have been certified to this unique system. This uniqueness is derived from the "Handbook 2", a part of the system documents, which requires all the certificants to submit data on their key performance measures for global benchmarking.

VSNL started its journey of TL 9000 in May 2003 and obtained the certification for its western and southern regions by February 2004. The certificate was awarded to the company at a function held on April 23, 2004, at the Hotel Orchid, Mumbai, on the occasion of the Star of VSNL awards ceremony. Mr Sajeev Jesudas, managing director, M/s Underwriters Laboratories, Asia Pac, handed over the certificate to Dr Jamshed J. Irani, in the presence of Mr S. K. Gupta, managing director, VSNL. VSNL thus became the first and only telecom services provider company in the world so far to receive this prestigious certification.