Convergence Express arrives in Bangalore

BANGALORE: Network of the World (NOW) launched its NOW convergence

service in Bangalore, offering high speed Internet access combined with

converged content that will be made easily accessible for narrowband customers.

NOW will provide high-speed Internet connectivity through it’s own C Band

satellite gateway located at Saidapet in Chennai, which is seamlessly connected

to NOW’s Bangalore hub at KH road through a fiber link. By setting up it’s

own gateway, NOW has circumvented the limitations of international bandwidth

faced by most ISP’s. Thus NOW subscribers in Bangalore will have a high-speed

connection to the World Wide Web and to www.now-india.com

the convergence portal developed by NOW for its Indian subscribers.

Data Access India Ltd. director and chief of technology, Sarvesh Goorha said,

" To this end we have invested over Rs 120 crore. It has been used in the

creation of the most sophisticated ISP infrastructure in India to ensure that

the users of NOW-ISP service enjoy ease and stability of connectivity and a full

range of ISP products, from dial up to Broadband depending upon individual needs

and budgets. NOW convergence service has been brought to India by Data Access

India Ltd., a joint venture between Hong Kong-based Pacific Century CyberWorks

and Delhi-based SPA Enterprises."

In order to overcome the disadvantage of a late entry, Data Access’ formula

for success has been to remove the hindrances and irritations faced by Internet

users in India. Hence the direct uplink to the US, European and Asia Pacific

Internet backbones via interlinked C Band satellite gateways at Delhi, Mumbai

and Chennai. And to optimize speed and stability of connection for dial up

customers Data Access has laid fiber optic connections between its hubs in

Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore and the local telecom networks. With this

NOW provides one of the best inter-metro networks in the country providing

multiple connecting solutions.

NOW also introduces a pay-as-you-use billing system, where customers are

billed once a month by post on the hours they have stayed online, removing the

botheration of paying in advance or even leaving home. Current charges are Rs.

10 per hour with 1 hour free for every 2 hours used, which works out to an

effective rate of Rs.6.67 per hour.