India and Kuwait
have mutually agreed to widen cooperation in the telecom and IT
sectors. The focus would now be on Telecom Infrastructure Development,
ICT Training, Exploring the possibilities of widened Indian presence
in the growth of telecom in Kuwait, enhanced business linkages
in the IT & Telecom Sector with the objective to promote new
initiatives, market opportunities between the corporates of both
the countries. India also agreed to extend the fullest cooperation
in enhancing ICT presence in Kuwait thereby, facilitating the
people of the country to enjoy the fruits of the IT revolution.
These issues were discussed in a meeting today between Shri Pramod
Mahajan, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Communications
& Information Technology and the Kuwait’s Minister of Communications,
H.E. Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, here today.
A key feature of
the meeting was the discussion on the possibility of the enhanced
role of Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) in
Kuwait as far as telecom infrastructural growth and development
was concerned. While lauding the role played by TCIL, the Communications
Minister of Kuwait said that in the present circumstances, the
Company could certainly handle more responsibilities in the development
of telecom infrastructure in the country. Shri Mahajan during
the discussions spoke of the new areas of specialization that
had become TCIL’s brand equity in the international telecommunications
market. The Minister said that the Company had played a pro-active
role in enhancing India’s telecom prowess world wide.
TCIL over the past
two decades and particularly since 1992 when a MOU was signed
between the two countries for cooperation in the field of telecommunications,
has handled telecom projects of about US$ 100 million. It has
also served the other organisations like Kuwait Oil Company, Gulfsat
etc. of about US$30 million.
The TCIL under a
proposal submitted to the Kuwait’s Ministry of Communications
has submitted a State-of-the-Art technical solution for upgrading
the Access Network to provide for Voice, Data & Video capability
by using the Fiber To The Homes(FTTH) technology. The Broadband
Network System has been designed by TCIL utilising technology
tied up with leading US Companies like AFL & ARRIS Broad Band.
The MoU signed in
February 1992 has provided for close cooperation between the two
administration in the field of telecommunication services and
facilities between the two countries. It provided for utilising
to the largest possible extent the telecom facilities to the other
administration for the transmission of telecom traffic to third
countries, for providing information on tariffs, and, settlement
of accounts for telecom services. The MOU also provided for technical
& scientific cooperation by exchange of experts training programs
and joint R&D activities.
There has been active
cooperation between the two administrations, and over the period
1992-2002, following significant progress have been achieved:
TCIL was the last Company to leave Kuwait after the invasion in
1991, and, TCIL was the first Company which was invited for restoration
of the damaged telecom infrastructure after liberation. TCIL made
an excellent job of restoring the communication facilities, working
devotedly under the trying circumstances. In 1992-93, TCIL provided
services of 60 Experts to MOC, Kuwait for Planning, Operation
& Maintenance of Switching and Long Distance Network. It also
provided 130 Experts/Technician to Kuwait Oil Company for O&M
of the Telecom infrastructure. In 1994-95, an MOU was signed between
Mobile Telecom Company, Kuwait & TCIL. Based on this, a joint
venture was formed in India for bidding for Cellular Services.
Hexacom Limited formed as above, is presently the leading Cellular
Operator in the State of Rajasthan. Over the years 1992 to 2002,
TCIL has handled turnkey projects for the Ministry of Communications,
Kuwait of about US$ 55 million and supply contracts worth US$
37 million. In addition, it has handled Telecom & Networking
Projects for other organizations like KOC, Gulfsat etc. in Kuwait
valued about US$ 30 million. Presently, TCIL is handling projects
for supply & installation of telecom network in three Governates
namely Capital, Ahmadi, Jahara worth US$ 10 million, and providing
O&M support to Kuwait Oil Company for Telecom infrastructure.
TCIL is executing Fiber to the Desk solutions for the Public Institute
for Social Security(PIFSS), which is the biggest dedicated computer
and telecom networking project in the Gulf.
