Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) today became the first Indian service provider to enter in to a wireless broadband roaming alliance with an international operator. It is now all set to tap into the international business travellers'' segment by providing roaming wireless broadband service to high-value travellers during their stay in India.

VSNL is the only Indian member in the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), a global consortium of wireless operators.

The service offering will allow seamless roaming and usage within VSNL''s wireless broadband network in India enabling visitors to access high-speed wireless broadband using their home country account and identity.

It operates over 200 Wi-Fi hotspots, spread across the major cities and include leading chain of hotels, major domestic and international airports, popular cafe chains, restaurants, bookstores, stadiums, educational institutions, RailTel cybercafes and leading shopping malls in India.

As part of the roll out, VSNL has partnered with StarHub, Singapore''s second largest info-communication company.

This will allow all StarHub customers, whether mobile, broadband or cable, to use wireless broadband service at over 200 Tata indicom Wi-Fi Hotspots across India. VSNL will also add other global Wi-Fi operators to its list of roaming partners shortly.

"This is yet another initiative from VSNL to continuously offer innovative customer solutions. Global travelers will never feel disconnected in India," said Prateek Pashine, vice president, marketing and technology, retail broadband business.