-- BSNL to use 288F Ribbon Fiber Optic Cables in its Pan-India broadband access network, to enhance the efficiency of network roll-out

Pune, India – October 1, 2008 – Sterlite Technologies Limited (“Sterlite”) [BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange): 532374, NSE (National Stock Exchange of India, Mumbai): STRTECH], a leading global provider of wire and cable solutions for the telecom and power industries, today announced that it has received a contract from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India to supply fiber optic cables with the highest density ever to be deployed in the country. The contract worth US$5 Million (Indian Rupee 24 Crores) is for Sterlite’s RIBBON-LITE ™ 288F ribbon fiber optic cables, which BSNL will initially install in about 100 city sites across India in the rapidly growing FTTx (fiber-to-the-“x”) applications sector.

This is the first time that fiber optic cables higher than 144F will be deployed in India. Ribbon fiber optic cables provide an efficient means to achieve high fiber density, as well as reducing the time per fiber required for installation, thus facilitating quick roll-out of a network. Sterlite is the pioneer of ribbon fiber optic cables in India and has supplied more than 60% of the country’s requirements of these specialized cables since 2003. 

Says K S Rao, COO Telecom Business at Sterlite Technologies, “Higher computer penetration, greater usage of the internet, coupled with emergence of content rich business applications have resulted in an exponential increase in demand for bandwidth. In 2008, the number of broadband subscribers in India has grown by nearly 65% over that in 2007 and India is currently positioned as the 4th largest consumer of optical fiber in the world. As industry leaders, we work closely with leading telecom incumbents in the country to develop solutions that would create a future-proof platform capable of supporting the demand for bandwidth intense applications. We are honored to be chosen as partners in India’s telecom revolution.”

Keeping up with the unprecedented growth in demand from the Indian and global telecom and power sectors, Sterlite is doubling the manufacturing capacity at its Optical Fiber facility to 12 million-km, tripling the manufacturing capacity at its Fiber Optic Cables facility to 6 million-km and is increasing the manufacturing capacity by 40% at its Power Conductors facility to 160,000MT/year. All of Sterlite’s capacity expansion programs are well underway and are scheduled to be completed within the current fiscal year.