WAKEFIELD, Mass.-Boston Technology Inc. has agreed to provide Escotel Mobile Communications Ltd. with systems and software for voice messaging services for its Global System for Mobile communications network in India.
According to the four-year contract, valued at $3.7 million, Boston Technology will provide its AccessNP Network Services Platform and Voice Messaging application package for value-added services.
Escotel owns licenses to provide GSM services to Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and the Kerala circle of India. The company is a joint venture between Escorts Ltd. of India and First Pacific Co. Ltd. of Hong Kong.
WASHINGTON-A survey released by International Technology Consultants Inc. forecasts enormous growth for the Colombian telecommunications market as a result of flexible regulatory policies and pending liberalization of the long distance market.
Colombia has seen growth in its cellular market which is expected to surpass 300,000 customers by the end of this year, up from 200,000 last year. ITC attributes the numbers to a growing Colombian economy, domestic and foreign investments, flexible regulatory policies and the introduction of new products and services.
Resolution 25, which is the most recent legislation designed to liberalize various telecom sectors, was passed in July 1995 and targets the long distance market. Colombia’s Ministry of Communications will open bidding in the domestic long distance market in late 1997, while international long distance bidding will begin in early 1998, causing the demand for both to rise as much as 20 percent annually, ITC said.
At the end of last year, Colombia had 4.9 million lines with a teledensity of 14.12 percent. In order to meet its goal of modernizing and liberalizing its telecommunications sector, the Colombian government plans to invest more than $1 billion by 1998, the company said. An additional $3 billion in public and private funds also is expected to be invested.
“Colombia: A Telecom Market Survey”, was published by Bethesda, Md.-based ITC, a consulting and publishing firm.