Maran opens direct link between India, Sri Lanka

Expressing confidence that the connection would benefit people of both countries, Maran said this was yet another step in strengthening Indo-Sri Lankan ties.

8216;8216;I have been informed that the idea of having a microwave link between India and Sri Lanka was conceived only in October, 2003. I compliment both Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Sri Lankan Telecom for commissioning this link in a very short time,8217;8217; he said.

Pointing out that there was scope for faster development through the increased use of information and communication technology ICT between SAARC countries, the Minister said: 8216;8216;It is essential that we reduce, if not obliterate, the digital divide between the rest of the world and our regions, between the countries in our region and between the different sections in our own countries.8217;8217; On the Indian front, he noted that the country had over 85 million lines and two million lines were being added every month.

8216;8216;A significant feature in the Indian telecom scenario is the recent move to introduce broadband in a big way. We are targeting a figure of nine million broadband subscribers and 80 million internet subscribers by 2007, using all available technologies from ADSL to Wi-fi and Wi-max,8217;8217; he said.

According to BSNL CMD, A K Sinha, the microwave link connecting Rameshwaram in India and Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka was set up in a record time of two months.