The node was inaugurated by minister of state for communications Kabindra Purkayastha and will be operational from Monday. Internet access will be made available to customers immediately. The node will be operated by DoT.

With the help of this new node the people of Silchar and its neighbouring areas will have Internet access for the first time. This is the second node to have been built in Assam after Guwahati and the DoT has added over ten Internet nodes to its network over the last three months.

The introduction of the Internet and other value added services is part of VSNL and DoT's long-term strategy to improve communication facilities all over the country. VSNL and DoT now have 40 Internet nodes and VSNL has 1,20,00 Internet subscribers across thecountry.

Purkayastha said, "The new Internet node in Assam will make significant contribution to the development of telecommunications infrastructure, which is underdeveloped in the north east."

VSNL officiating chairman and managing director Amitabh Kumar said, "Since we introduced the Internet in 1995, VSNL, along with DoT, has been committed to set up nodes all over the country to facilitate and improve every Indian's experience on the Net. We also intend to introduce other value added services in the region later on to improve the existing telecommunications infrastructure. Assam is famous for tea exports and it is hoped better communication facilities will boost additional activities and trade from the region."