SLT launches i-Sri Lanka in Jaffna

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA reporting from Jaffna

Sri Lanka Telecom launched the i-Sri Lanka project for ultra speed broadband network under its nationwide network modernization initiative. The total project investment is estimated to be Rs. five billion.

SLT Chairman Nimal Welgama, Telecommunications and IT Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda at the SLT regional office opening in Jaffna.Picture by Saliya Rupasinghe

The first phase of this project I Sri Lanka was launched in Jaffna yesterday with an investment of Rs. 70 million which is considered to be the largest ICT project in Jaffna.

The regional telecommunication office and maintenance centre in Jaffna were also opened yesterday to provide and ensure speedy and quality service delivery.

“The i-Sri Lanka network modernization project will revolutionize broad band access across the country by upgrading the existing copper based access network with fibre optics. This will enable the customers to enjoy consistent uninterrupted high speed internet service delivered on the network at high speeds up to 20 megabytes per second,” CEO, SLT, Greg Young said

As the nation’s number one intergraded service provider and leading broadband and back bone infrastructure service provider, SLT is committed to achieve 90 percent or more mega line customers with 20 MBPS speed by 2013, he said.

The broadband and GDP growth has had a direct positive relationship and by facilitating speedy broadband access to the entire country the GDP’s growth could be supported. “The i-Sri Lanka project in the North which is identified as a high growth region will compliment the economic development by enabling seamless connectivity,” he said.

Under the i-Sri Lanka project the country will expand and upgrade its network to provide SLT Mega line customers with high quality voice, consistent uninterrupted high speed internet and interactive television facilities across country.

“It will provide the ideal platform for private business networking, interactive entertainment, distance learning online education and E health in a convenient atmosphere,” he said.

The project will also enable access to SLT’s Peo TV services.