In the last few years, they have also pumped money into telecommunications carriers.

A permanent telephone connection between two points set up by a telecommunications common carrier.

"If they start to provide telephone services or become an Internet provider then they'll be covered as a telecommunications carrier."

It hopes to sell that service to telecommunications carriers and other companies rather than directly to consumers.

Almost every telecommunications carrier these days is rushing to offer an integrated package of voice, data and video services.

The firm received its first major contract from telecommunications carrier Italtel.

And seamless communications can be provided only by telecommunications carriers with presence in major markets around the world.

Silk Road has discussed its technology with a number of telecommunications carriers, he said, but was not ready to announce products or identify customers.

Canada refused to let foreign companies own more than 46.7 percent of any land-based telecommunication carrier in the country.

In these regions, telecommunications carriers would be required to make available up to 1 percent of their network capacity when sought by law-enforcement officials.