WCA January 2015

India Insight

Australia/India connection An agreement between Telstra and Tata Communications will result in improved connectivity to and from India. The network-to-network interconnection (NNI) will utilise Tata Communications’ 116 points of presence (PoPs), extending Telstra’s reach to tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities such as Jaipur, Surat and Trichy. Bernadette Noujaim Baldwin, Telstra global enterprise and services, head of connectivity and platforms portfolio, said the new arrangement with Tata Communications was part of Telstra’s broader MPLS strategy, which includes NNI agreements in emerging markets. “The latest estimates from a PricewaterhouseCoopers report predict India is set to become the third largest economy in the world by 2030. When you combine this with its young and burgeoning working-age population, you’ve got a compelling consumption boom and a competitive edge that sets Asia’s third-largest economy apart from many other countries.” Through the partnership, Telstra and Tata Communications have defined roles and responsibilities for the management of the NNI to ensure the seamless delivery and support for services in the region. By leveraging Tata Communications’ domestic infrastructure and global subsea fibre network, users are expected to benefit from reduced latency and Sterlite Technologies Ltd has entered into a joint venture agreement with VISCAS Corporation, a Japanese company that specialises in power transmission and distribution systems. As part of the agreement, VISCAS Japan will invest in the existing Sterlite power cable facility in Haridwar, which supplies medium and high voltage cable to customers in India. The venture’s objective is to address the growing extra high voltage underground power cabling requirements in India. Sterlite Technologies Ltd – India Website : www.sterlitetechnologies.com Wind expansion for Madhya Pradesh With an aim to generate sustainable economic growth, Suzlon Group plans to construct 2,000MW of new wind energy projects in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh over the next five years. Suzlon Group has deployed more than 50 per cent of total wind capacity in the state. Suzlon Group chairman Tulsi Tanti said: “The MP government has an impressive track record of delivering 11 per cent all round economic growth in 2013-14, with a very impressive growth of 25 per cent in the agriculture sector, which is the highest in the world. This is indeed a testament of the state’s progressive outlook and pro-industry policies that offer a conducive business environment. increased network availability. Tata Communications – India Website : www.tatacommunications.com Indian cable venture

“MP has not only emerged as one of the fastest growing states in the country, but is a power surplus state as well, with close to 14,000MW installed capacity. We are confident the MP government’s thrust on enhancing its clean energy portfolio and industry growth will ensure sustainable growth across the state.” Suzlon Group – India Website : www.suzlon.com One-stop solution Rodents, termites, ants and other insect attacks have plagued the cable and wire industry for many years. Rodents gnawing through wire and cable insulation cause breaks in the cables resulting in power outages and network failures. According to a recent blog by Level 3 Communications, rodents like squirrels caused 17 per cent of damage to fibre optic networks. Rodents also caused nearly 50 power outages within a three-month period in the USA in 2013. There has also been widespread panic about the proliferation of fire ants that attack electrical equipment in the UK. Power outages and damage to wires and cables can cost millions of dollars in monetary losses. A non-toxic, non-hazardous and effective long-lasting solution needs to be found to overcome this problem. India-based C Tech incorporated in the cable insulation and sheathing to ensure protection against extensive damage caused by rodents and termites. Now there is a new product, Combirepel™, that works on a dual mechanism, by which it can be used against rodents as well as termites and other insects simultaneously. Combirepel is a special product that works on a mechanism of repellence by which it repels the target species like rats, squirrels, termites, etc, from cables without harming non-target beneficial species like bees and earthworms. Adhering to the principle of ‘live and let live’, these products do not kill the target species but repel them. The products are RoHS, RoHS 2 and REACH compliant and can protect the cables for up to 50 years, providing a long-lasting solution. C Tech Corporation can provide products that can be customised according to the exclusive needs of the customer. C Tech Corporation – India Website : www.ctechcorporation.com ❍ Repel rodents, termites and other insects with the newly launched Combirepel Corporation, specialist in the field of non-toxic products, offers a wide range of non-toxic, non-hazardous polymer additives that can be incorporated in wires and cables. Rodrepel™, an anti-rodent additive, and Termirepel™, an anti- termite additive, can be

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Wire & Cable ASIA – January/February 2015