Indian telco giant Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) is seeking the telecom regulators approval to set up a US$ 40 mn venture in Sri Lanka.
Initially offering international calls, VSNL Lanka Limited will expand its offering to include other data and voice services later.rn
rnThe Board of Investment has forwarded VSNLs proposal to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) for approval. rn
rnIndustry sources say the TRC has consented to VSNLs entry to the local market, but is yet to process its licence application.rn
rnIndustry sources expect call charges to India to drop further from the Rs. 30 levels at present.rn
rnInternational telecom tariffs dropped by as much as 70 per cent when 28 new players were admitted to the overseas call market in February 2003.rn
rnIndia, despite its geographic closeness is one of the expensive locations to call, while tariffs to call USA, UK and locations in the far east are lower. rn
rnIndustry analysts say VSNLs foray into the Sri Lankan telecom m