China Telecom in talks with Tata, RCOM and Bharti over direct terrestrial Fibre-optic cable

If reports are to be believed, China Telecom is in talks with three Indian telecom carriers over a planned direct terrestrial fibre-optic cable connection between the two countries.

According to Deng Xiao Feng, chairman of the Chinese firm’s Hong Kong-based international arm, China’s largest fixed line operator is in discussions with Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications (RCOM) and Tata Communications (formerly VSNL) over a proposed above-ground cross-border cable link.

The two super-states are currently linked by undersea cables, which are vulnerable to earthquakes; the reports added that China Telecom has already laid a landline reaching the Chinese side of their common border.

According to Deng, the company is hoping that this Sino-Indian land cable can start up as soon as possible and promote ties between the two fast-growing economies; because they know the demand is enormous.