RailTel, a public sector undertaking, which provides bandwidth for National Long Distance services to telecom operators, intends to upgrade its network to Next Generation Network (NGN) Technology, starting with 18 cities (14 circles). Currently, Railtel’s infrastructure is not IP based, so I guess that’s what they’re referring to. This will enable telcos to cut STD prices, and offer services like video conferencing. Railtel intends to expand its Optical Fibre Communication (OFC) network from about 2900 railway stations covering 30000 route kms, to 5000 railway stations in the country covering 45000 route kms.

SEE ALSO: Railtel Plans Cybercafe Network With Sify And VSNL; Hotspots Around Railway Stations; Triple Play?

S.K. Vasishta, MD of RailTel has reiterated plans to set up 24 hour cybercafes at 82 Railway Stations, and wireless hotspots around 50 railway stations. So far, they have cybercafes at 24 stations (details in release). Much of what’s in that release, we have reported earlier.