Date:07/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/07/stories/2006040702791800.htm

Business

Reliance Communications plans to expand broadband network

Will initiate talks with companies for content

— Photo: Paul Noronha

SAFE SURFING: Prakash Chandra Bajpai (left), President, Reliance Infocomm, with Risto Siilasmaa, President and CEO, F-Secure Corporation, at a press conference in Mumbai on Thursday.

MUMBAI: Anil Ambani-controlled Reliance Communications plans to expand its broadband network to 200 cities from 40 in a short period. The President of the company, Prakash Bajpai, told reporters here that it would also increase focus on consumer Internet business in the coming years as it was mainly into business of broadband services.

Progress on IPTV

With regard to the progress of the company into Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), Mr. Bajpai said the company was building the infrastructure for it. Reliance would initiate talks with companies for content, once the infrastructure was in place.

Meanhwile, the company announced a partnership with F-Secure Corporation to provide data security services for Reliance Communications' customers. — PTI