STPI contemplating fiber-optic connectivity for first time

Balaka Baruah Aggarwal

NEW DELHI: Strange as it may seem all connectivity in STPI has till now been

on satellite with society contemplating the use of fiber-optic based

connectivity for the first time now. The total capacity at STPI’s 32 centers

is to the tune of 200 MBPS. With the country slated to experience a boom in

bandwidth availability and with bandwidth prices plummeting by the day, cable

connectivity is being an increasingly attractive option.






Cable-based connectivity is not only cheaper but provides superior quality. At
current rates, a cable connectivity works out to be 15-20 per cent cheaper than

satellite-based connectivity. Cables have a latency (the time required to

connect between two stations) of 100 millisecs while satellites have 500

millisecs of delay.






But satellite connectivity scores higher on the reliability side therefore STPI
has experienced an unexpected reluctance by its users to move on to a completely

cable-based connectivity. Almost 15 per cent of its users have vouched to opt

for a total satellite-based connectivity.






And their fears are justified. Most cables coming into India do not have fiber
rings and hence do not have the capacity to auto-restore. Satellite connectivity

however has the quality of self-healing. A cable connection takes a minimum of

five to seven days to repair--a downtime which is simply not affordable by

companies in STPI.






Companies located in STPI usually have a point to point connectivity between
their various locations and most often work in a collaborative environment.

Connectivity uptime therefore is a forgone conclusion for software companies

inside STPI.



STPI plans to add another 50 MBPS capacity to its centers through cable
networks. Talks are in the final stages with fiber-optic capacity providers like

VSNL and Bharti. Bharti, which has a joint venture with SingTel has a landing

point at Chennai. The company is in the process of getting security clearances

from the government and its services will be available soon. SAFE, the cable

project of TeleGlobe Inc., which has a landing station in Cochin is also

expected to be operational soon.