Nortel to invest in India

The $17.6-billion, Toronto based Nortel Networks has

decided to pump in about $50 million in development, sales infrastructure and marketing

activities in the country during the current fiscal year. Nortel Networks is expanding its

Nortel network team, channels and visibility in the Indian marketplace.

Nortel Networks will also explore additional partnerships

to target PSU, government and enterprise segments of customers. Nortel has recently signed

a memorandum of understanding with the domestic telecom major ITI for their wireless in

local loop equipment.

Both the companies are evaluating possibilities to produce

Nortel telecom equipment at ITI's manufacturing facilities. For this purpose Nortel and

ITI are entering into a manufacturing and marketing tie-up shortly and with this they are

aiming at huge orders both from DoT and MTNL. The company has already bagged orders from

VSNL, Bharti BT, NTPC, Infosys and Indian Airlines. Nortel's merger with Bay Networks has

built in a lot of credibility with customers.

Nortel does not have immediate plans for setting up a

manufacturing facility in the country, but does not over rule its possibility.

Nortel's main focus is on the Indian wireless technology

market in a big way. Nortel had missed the first wave of telecommunication procurement by

the government of India but intends to be ready for the second wave.