Very large companies have a distinct advantage when it comes to launching new products and services, because they can leverage considerable resources to jump-start the market entry process. 

Take Tata Communications as an example. The company was formed earlier this year with the merger of VSNL, VSNL International (News - Alert) and Teleglobe, and is part of Tata Group, a global conglomerate with operations in many industries including engineering, consumer products, energy and chemicals. The group employs more than 200,000 people spread out over 90-plus companies. One might compare its scope to General Electric in the United States or Siemens (News - Alert) in Germany.

 

Among the industries where Tata Group operates is telecommunications. It owns a global fiber network, and this is where Tata Communications (News - Alert) comes in. With an emphasis on serving carriers, Tata Communications is currently leveraging the resources of its parent company to invest $2 billion in cable network enhancements.

 

Rich Tehrani (News - Alert), president and group editor-in-chief at TMCnet, recently interviewed Anthony Rossabi, vice president of carrier services for Tata Communications’ Americas division, for a podcast. Rossabi told Tehrani that the company is focusing its considerable cable CAPEX on emerging markets, such as Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

 

The company also is expanding its outsourced offerings for carriers, including provisioning, network design, and solutions for transitioning from wireline to wireless. Outsourced offerings are of particular interest to many big carriers, Rossabi said, because they are looking for ways to streamline their operations.

 

“Given the global economy, carriers are looking for ways to improve processes and cut costs,” Rossabi said. He added: “Companies are looking at how they can cut travel and expense budgets.”

 

One way to do that is by using videoconferencing or telepresence technology, installing this type of system at multiple facilities so teams can collaborate and give sales pitches to prospective customers without having to travel.

 

Tata Communications is building its reputation as a provider of bundled services that can help carriers in multiple ways, Rossabi said.

 

“Our focus is more solutions-based rather than just a single product offering,” he said.

 

In this context, bundling might mean combining MPLS with telepresence, security or hosting.

 

Rossabi also highlighted Tata’s new department that serves government agencies, ways that the parent group is beginning to internally utilize Tata Communications’ own services, and how “green” technology fits into the mix. Hear the whole conversation: Click here to download the podcast.