VSNL cuts Net rates

MUMBAI, JAN 7: Gateway access and internet service provider Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd on Friday announced steep price cuts for its international private leased line, dial-up internet, ISDN, and web-hosting services. The biggest drop was in web-hosting charges at a massive 90 per cent. The new tariffs will take effect from January 15, 2000, after approval by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, VSNL said in a statement.

The drop in web-hosting charges will give a boost to hosting of websites and Indian content on the internet, VSNL said. quot;The rates have been aligned to be competitive with those prevailing elsewhere,quot; according to the statement. So far, companies here have been hosting content in servers based in the Unites States because of the exhorbitant rates charged by VSNL. Around six months back VSNL Director operations Amitabh Kumar had announced plans to start server farms at locations across the country and bring down hosting rates on par with those in the US.