Airtel launches direct terrestrial link between India, China

The 40 Gbps underground terrestrial network, built on highly resilient ring infrastructure, will offer unparalleled connectivity in the region and will also address the challenges of growing international traffic between the two countries, Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

"This new high-speed link will provide unparalleled diversity to both East and West-bound traffic, ensuring business continuity and economic growth for both the nations," Bharti Airtel CEO-Global Data Business Ajay Chitkara said.

The terrestrial network will offer the shortest alternate route between India and China, alongside the existing sub-sea routes.

With this network, Bharti Airtel has now established a third international gateway for its customers in India.

Airtel has also signed Memorandum of Understanding with China Telecom to develop Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) links, which will facilitate seamless access to the combined regional and global network resources of both operators.

Bharti Airtel and China Telecom undertook construction of the network in their respective territories, with the Indian telecom major establishing the underground terrestrial link from Siliguri to the Nathula Border, from where the Chinese operator extended the link up to Yadong, in China.