Data Access India

cancelled

Data Access was one of four providers of international phone services in India, including Bombay-based Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd, which was the state-run monopoly until the sector was thrown open to private players in April 2002. Data Access had signed agreements with 12 international carriers and unlike its rivals, was a specialised wholesale provider of international voice services. The company obtained its license in March 2002 by paying a US$5 million entry fee and providing a bank guarantee of approximately US$5 million. The company began offering services in India in July of 2002. The company was a 51/49 joint venture between Pacific Convergence Corporation (PCC) of Hong Kong and SPA Enterprises of India. VocalTec Communications was chosen as the ILD equipment supplier in April 2002. The company had invested US$20.4 million for rolling out its International Long Distance (ILD) services. As of 2003, the company had been able to quickly grab nearly a third of the Indian market for international calls by offering lower prices than its rivals. In June 2005, the Department of Telecom (DoT) suspended Data Access's international long distance (ILD) license, since the company failed to pay US$ 45 million in dues.