News Broadcasting
VSNL’s deal with Asia Netcom for enhancing submarine connectivity
MUMBAI: Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) and pan-Asian telecommunications services provider Asia Netcom have announced a strategic partnership to enhance our connectivity to the Asia Pacific region.
Under the new agreement VSNL’s proposed Tata Indicom India-Singapore Cable will land at Asia Netcom’s cable landing station in Singapore. The Tata Indicom cable system connecting Chennai and Singapore will be ready for service by the fourth quarter of this yeat.
An official release informs that the new partnership effectively offers VSNL’s domestic corporate customers a cost-effective bandwidth solution to Trans-Pacific routes over Asia Netcom’s EAC cable system, or all the way to US and Europe.
VSNL MD A K Gupta added, ”With a view of catering our services to the growing requirements of our customers, VSNL is presently investing in a number of next generation submarine cable projects. With Asia Netcom, our wholly owned Tata Indicom cable, will offer enhanced connectivity over the trans-Pacific belt. The new arrangement with Asia Netcom will help us package an end-to-end range of bandwidth solutions for our corporate customers.”
The new 3175 km Tata Indicom submarine cable system will run between Chennai and Singapore. The cable system will have an initial capacity of 320 Gbps with the ability to scale up to its design capacity of 5.12 Tbps. With an estimated operating lifespan of 25 years, the new cable will connect Chennai to Singapore, from where onward extension to the US and other significant geographies is readily available at competitive prices.
Asia Netcom’s EAC is a 19,500 km, submarine fiber cable system connecting Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan with 80 Gbps of capacity that is upgradeable incrementally to 2.56 Tbps.
VSNL is in the process of expanding its global presence and is setting up operations in Sri Lanka and the US.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
