Lagos, Jul 27 (IANS): India's leading telephony provider Tata Communications has extended its Video Connect Network (VCN) to Nigeria through a partnership with Main One Cable Company, Nigeria's premier provider of broadband internet services.

A statement issued by Main One here said the VCN service will allow broadcast and production companies in Nigeria to distribute their live content worldwide as well as enhance international broadcasters' reach into this key emerging region.

"Following increasing demand for high-quality video capability in and out of Nigeria, Tata Communications, in partnership with Main One, connects its global video network to an expansive local fibre network, creating a dedicated video network connecting to key broadcasters as well as production and post-production houses in Africa," the statement added.

It said VCN offers new levels of scalability and bandwidth supported by Tata Communications' round-the-world, wholly-owned, sub-sea fibre network and Main One's cable between Europe and West Africa.

The statement said video content transfer can be purchased on a permanent or per-hour basis, opening up new opportunities for Nigerian companies through flexible payment options. The network can carry both live and file-based content. Seamless worldwide transmission is now possible through 300-plus connected media hotspots, including key cable and Direct-to-Home (DTH) headends, as well as production and post-production houses around the world.

Genius Wong, Senior Vice President, Global Network Services, Tata Communications, said: "At Tata Communications we have always focussed on giving our media customers access to key media hotspots for delivery of broadcast quality video for contribution and distribution across the globe. This extension of Video Connect reach, together with our existing presence in South Africa and our global Video network, will further enhance the value proposition for our customers, allowing the distribution of premium broadcast quality content into and out of Africa."

Funke Opeke, CEO of Main One, says "We are proud to be part of this ground-breaking partnership, bringing new opportunities not only for Nigeria but Africa as a whole. Our high quality fibre network, coupled with Tata Communications' international expertise and global network will open up a new world of opportunities for video coming in and out of the African region as well as create new business opportunities for studios, broadcasters, production and pre-production companies throughout Nigeria."

This expansion of the reach of Tata Communications' Video Connect Network in Africa compliments its South African Video Connect presence, via its subsidiary company, Neotel. Coupled with the recent completion of the world's first wholly owned sub-sea network cable which rings the globe, the company is unrivalled for global connectivity.