TGN - Intra Asia Launched

It has been a while since the last PTC meeting, where some Tata people said that the TGN-IA will be launched in a matter of weeks. Yes, sure, what's the problem? we can convert every time measure in "weeks" :-D ... More importantly, it has indeed been launched: "... announced that they have completed the installation, testing and commissioning of the TGN-Intra Asia (TGN-IA) Cable System. Arriving at the conclusion of a comprehensive test program, which verified compliance with all transmission requirements, the companies have completed the final step in achieving regional and global connectivity in Southeast Asia for the TGN".

Tata : Onnet PoP soon in Jakarta ?

Some times ago, Tata has opened a new data center in Singapore. There is a strong hint that they will not stop there. They intends to open several onnet PoPs in South-East Asian Cities, including Jakarta! It is unlikely that they will put a dedicated cable from Singapore or from any underwater BU directly to Jakarta, right? It could mean that they (have) approach(ed) one or two cable owners to Jakarta. The question is ... WHO? :-D ... But in any case, shall Tata indeed open a PoP in Jakarta, domestic Internet providers and users could expect for cheaper Internet access prices. Agree? No? .. :-D

TGN-IA : Latency

I already wrote about this somewhere :-D ... but below is a better table mentioning this latency figure for the TGN-IA system. This latency issue seems to be one selling point exposed by Tata. Sure, they should (have to) sell this, since they construct a new system in a currently "cable-dense" area :-D

TGN-IA

Some details for TGN-IA system:

• The TGN-Intra Asia Cable System is a linear cable system between Singapore and Japan with Day-1 branch landings into Hong Kong, Vietnam and the Philippines
• The system is equipped with two additional branching units, which enable entry into other markets, and is designed with four fibre pairs delivering a capacity of at least 3.84 Tbps

Tata's 10 GigE Services

Just read a news entry mentioning Tata's new service platform: global 10 GigE (10 Gbps Ethernet) services, available at 25 major cities in 11 countries. Jakarta isn't in the list, but Singapore is of course inside. The service covers both 10 GigE LAN PHY and WAN PHY at selectable grade of availability ranging from 99.5% (unprotected circuits) to 99.9% (protected circuits). The service features MEF 6.1 defined Ethernet Private Line (EPL) point to point configuration so that customers’ data is isolated and travels on its own Ethernet pipe, is a truly dedicated, secure service.

TGN Pacific

Tata's TGN Pacific is actually a quite "old" system :-D; but it counts to the well-designed systems.

• The system forms a self-healing ring connecting US to Japan
  
• RFS : December 2002
• CAPEX: USD 1.7 bn (For comparison: Tata acquired Tyco for USD 130 mn in 11/2004 !!)
  
• Capacity : 460 Gbps initial ??; 960 Gbps (upgrade in 2006); 1.28 Tbps 2008 ??
• Length : 22,300 km

Pacific Cables + Completion of TGN - IA

Quotes from TM's talk:

• The increasing trend has seen upgrades and new submarine cable investment in Asia. An increase of 120% in the Trans-Pacific route capacity is already happening in 2008.
• An additional approx 4Tbps would be available; further 5-7 Tbps being planned for 2010
• Whilst these are planned capacity; it still uncertain as to the actual capacity that will be made available for the market
• If the trend is to be followed, then such capacity will be required. Again the issue of cost will creep in whereby can the end user actually be willing to pay for the ever increasing hunger for bandwidth
• The breakdown of the model of end users paying for the bandwidth may see the capacity being less utilised leading to over capacity

Several hours ago, Commsday has reported that "Tata Communications has confirmed that its TGN Intra-Asia cable is undergoing final testing and will be ready to carry traffic from February".

Tata Indicom Cable (TIC)

TIC belongs to the first cable systems which are fully owned and operated from the beginning (not acquired) by VSNL/Tata. TIC is also known as TIISCS (Tata Indicom India-Singapore Cable System). Several facts:

Tata's Cables

Let's begin with a Wiki quotation :-)

Tata Communications, formerly known Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited or VSNL, is India's largest telecommunication company in international long distance, enterprise data and internet services. Part of the Tata Group, Tata Communications is based in Mumbai and has operations in over 80 cities spread across 40 countries. Tata Teleservices, one of India's largest and least congested cellular providers, is a subsidiary of Tata Communications. Through its subsidiary Tyco Global Network, it is also one of the world's largest submarine cable bandwidth providers and has the world's largest network of submarine cables. Other subsidiaries of Tata Communications include VSNL International Canada, formerly known as Teleglobe while it is the majority share-holder of Neotel, South Africa's second-largest cellular operator.

In 1986, VSNL was formed as a Government of India-owned company and 1996, Tata Teleservices was established. In 2000, Tata Group acquired controlling stake in VSNL which was later expanded to 46%. In 2007, VSNL was renamed as Tata Communications which also included Tata Teleservices.