BSNL to start ILD services in Feb

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd on Wednesday said it would start international long distance services in February next year, for which it is likely to use Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd's infrastructure.

"We are gearing up to start as a separate operator in February," BSNL chairman and mnaging director Prithipal Singh said in New Delhi.

He said BSNL was working out the details of its ILD services.

"Setting up our own infrastructure could take six to eight months and so we may start with using the existing equipment of VSNL," he said, adding an agreement for this might be signed this month.

Asked if there was a scope for further reduction in international long distance tariffs with BSNL's entry, Singh said, "There maybe a 10-20 per cent reduction in ILD rates."

BSNL's existing preferred carrier status arrangement with VSNL is valid upto February, he pointed out.