Exhibit - 9
(VSNL LOGO)
PRESS RELEASE
VSNL LAUNCHES BANDWIDTH-ON-DEMAND FOR INTERNET LEASED LINE CUSTOMERS
> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN INDIA, CUSTOMERS CAN DOUBLE INTERNET BANDWIDTH
WITHIN 48 HOURS
> PRODUCT CUSTOMIZED TO MEET SHORT-TERM BANDWIDTH REQUIREMENT OF
CUSTOMER
MUMBAI, MAY 11 2004... Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited, India's leading Telecom and
Internet service provider today announced the introduction of an innovative new
bandwidth solution in the country with the launch of its revolutionary new
Corporate Data product, 'TATA INDICOM BANDWIDTH-ON-DEMAND'. Designed to meet the
short term urgent additional bandwidth requirements, the new product enables
Tata Indicom's Internet Leased Line customers to significantly upgrade their
bandwidth to almost double its capacity within a 48 hour timeframe, thereby
enabling them to undertake and execute unforeseen new project opportunities
within record time. The new product allows Tata Indicom customers to adequately
meet their short term bandwidth requirements by provisioning for "BANDWIDTH ON
SHORT TERM CONTRACTS" for as low as 7 days, thereby offering them a great
savings opportunity besides helping them tap new business opportunities coming
their way. CREATED AS A RESULT OF EXTENSIVE CUSTOMER RESEARCH AND FEEDBACK, THE
NEW PRODUCT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE COUNTRY FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME BY VSNL.
With a view to simplify the application process for its Customers, VSNL has set
up a fully automated online process that will elicit and deliver bandwidth
upgradation requests for its customers. A customer can now place his bandwidth
requirement (with duration) online simply by registering himself and putting in
his request. This solution also helps the customer access his account with VSNL
on a realtime basis wherein he gets to view his account information such as
requests, charges and usage schedules.
Tata Indicom Bandwidth-on-Demand offers its existing Internet Leased Line
customers the following advantages:
> FASTER TURNAROUND TIME: Leased line customers can now upgrade their
bandwidth by 100 % within 48 hours
> A SOLUTION TO SHORT TERM BANDWIDTH REQUIREMENTS: Customers can
provision for short term bandwidth requirements for as low as 7 days
> COST SAVINGS: Customer can save on bandwidth costs as he does not need
to upgrade bandwidth for 3 months when his requirement is only for a
week
> ADDED BUSINESS: Customers can now take on more short term business
opportunities without having to worry about its viability in view of
flexibility in using bandwidth
> EASE OF ORDERING: The entire process is automated and there is
absolutely no manual interference. The customer needs to register just
once on a secure site and each time there is a requirement, he needs
to just put in a request and the bandwidth is released to the
customer.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. S. K. Gupta, Managing Director, VSNL said, "VSNL
has pioneered the internet revolution in India. As the leaders in the Corporate
Data and Internet space, we continue to innovate and bring home new products
that will better satisfy our Corporate customers' requirements and help them
attain their business goals. Tata Indicom Bandwidth-on-Demand is a new product
introduced in the country for the very first time. As this product has been
designed on the feedback of our customers, we are certain that the same will be
received well in the marketplace."
VSNL is the leader in the Telecom Corporate Data Segment in India. The company
has a strong service offering for this segment that covers products like IPLCs,
ILLs, Frame relay, ATM and MPLS based IP-VPN services. The Company also provides
customized bandwidth solutions to its customers through the Tata
Indicom Enterprise Business Unit, the Tata Group's specialized cell catering to
the telecom needs of the Enterprise segment.
ABOUT VSNL
Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited, first telecom service provider in the world to get
the prestigious TL 9000 certification, is India's leading provider of
International Telecommunications and Internet Services. As the country's leader
in International Long Distance services and with a strong pan-India National
Long Distance presence, VSNL is the leader in the Corporate Data Market in the
country today with a strong service offering covering IPLCs, ILLs, Frame relay,
ATM and MPLS based IP-VPN services. With established relations with over 80
carriers across the globe, VSNL today has a strong infrastructure base that
covers multiple gateways, earth stations and submarine cable systems.
Tata-managed VSNL is now rapidly growing its retail and corporate presence under
the Tata Indicom brand through its products like high speed broadband, dial-up
Internet, net telephony and calling cards, and has an internet subscriber base
of over 8,00,000 subscribers. The Company also proposes to consolidate its
presence in the Internet space by increasing its impetus on the Retail Broadband
business. VSNL also offers a host of other valued added services that include
Television / Video uplinking, Program transmission services, Frame relay
services and Inmarsat services.
VSNL is in the process of expanding its global presence and is setting up
operations in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Europe and the United States of America. Its
international connectivity capabilities, both undersea as well as satellite,
offer the greatest diversity in India, which is critical for all customer
segments, encompassing wholesale, corporate and retail. The company is
augmenting its international connectivity by setting up a 3175 km undersea cable
between Chennai and Singapore with a designed capacity of 5.12 tera bits. VSNL
is listed across all the major stock exchanges in India and also has its ADRs
listed on the New York Stock Exchange. (www.vsnl.com)
FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS:
Certain words and statements in this release concerning VSNL and its prospects,
and other statements relating to VSNL's expected financial position, business
strategy, the future development of VSNL's operations and the general economy in
India, are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results,
performance or achievements of VSNL, or industry results, to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding VSNL's
present and future business strategies and the environment in which VSNL will
operate in the future. The important factors that could cause actual results,
performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking
statements include, among others, changes in government policies or regulations
of India and, in particular, changes relating to the administration of VSNL's
industry, and changes in general economic, business and credit conditions in
India. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or
achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, many of
which are not in VSNL's control, include, but are not limited to, those risk
factors discussed in VSNL's various filings with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. VSNL
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to
reflect any change in VSNL's expectations with regard thereto or any change in
events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT:
Dr. G. C. Banik, Chief General Manager (PR), Ms. Shefali Jhaveri/Meenu Sood
Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
Tel: 91-22-5639 5153 Tel: 91-22-56568787