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Telecommunications

In addition to this, a number of private bandwidth providers arrange for greater internet bandwidth for knowledge-based industries who set up facilities in the state. V-SAT infrastructure of National Informatics Centre provides additional bandwidth for information transfer. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has provided connectivity to 326 out of 341 blocks in the state through 2 mbps bandwidth, either through Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) or microwave. This has further strengthened the city’s ability to deliver international communications. BSNL has also earmarked an investment of Rs. 250 crores to connect major Indian cities (starting with the metros) using the Dense Wave Division Multiplex (DWDM) technology which will lead to a manifold increase in bandwidth to accommodate new applications and subscribers. The DWDM, based on Optical Fibre technology, would increase the current bandwidth of 2.5 GB by about 50-60 times.

Calcutta Telephones has increased its exchange capacity to over 1.3 million connections with a Teledensity of 9.5. The network is based on a strong core comprising of 32 digital exchanges connected by highly reliable and high capacity STM-16 OFC rings.

West Bengal Telecom has increased its exchange capacity by 2.5 times in the last three years. The equipped capacity has grown to 13,77,400 and total working connection to 11,00,019.

Internet: Info gateway of National Internet Backbone (NIB) located at Kolkata offering internet leased line at 64 kbps and 2 mbps ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network): Digital telephony, video conferencing, high speed data transfer and FAX facility available to ISDN customers from state-of-the-art exchanges IN (Intelligent Network): Provides important communication facilities such as Virtual Private Network Services, Virtual Card Calling Service, Free Phone Service, Premium Rate Service, Televoting Services and Universal Access Number Services Cellular Mobile Service: Provided in Kolkata by Bharti, Hutch, Reliance and BSNL

New OFC bandwidth will shortly become available from Reliance Infocom Private Limited. Reliance is setting up a Rs 800 crore optical fibre cable network within the state. The project involves laying nearly 4000 km of optical fibre in the state. The network will link Kolkata, the state capital, with all other districts. The company is laying 1560 km of optical fiber cables in Kolkata itself, creating a 450-km optic fiber main access ring linking client sites through some 640-km of last mile connectivity. Bharti has also evinced interest for connecting Kolkata to Chennai through OFC linkages.

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