NEW DELHI, May 8: Powergrid Corporation is planning to offer long-distance telecom carrier services by leasing its vast transmission network and capacity to install fibre-optic cables.

The plan, which forms a part of the corporation’s diversification plan, involves an additional investment of Rs 600 crore. Powergrid expects a return on its investment within 4 to 5 years. The proposal is to lease its facilities to DoT, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd VSNL, basic and cellular TV operators.