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BSNL selects vendors for expanding network
21 May 2012
India’s BSNL goes to Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei and ZTE in first mobile equipment order for five years
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BSNL
India
mobile
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Alcatel-Lucent
Huawei
ZTE
State-owned Indian operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam — or BSNL — has awarded contracts to Huawei, ZTE and Alcatel-Lucent to add capacity for 14.37 million lines, as part of its next phase of network expansion to improve the quality of service, according to local reports. The contract will include planning, financing, engineering, installation and supply, in addition to testing, commissioning and yearly maintenance.
R K Upadhyay, BSNL’s chairman and managing director told the Economic Times: “We have finalised [these] vendors and even given them advance purchase order for the equipments in North, South and East zone. By month end, all circle heads will submit requirement of their divisions. After this, we will place final orders.”
In July last year, the operator invited bids under phase seven of expansion. In the year 2006, the company’s last tender was finalised for 45 million lines, which was then cut to 14 million lines in 2007. Following this, the other two tenders — for 93 million lines in 2008 and 5.5 million lines in 2010 — were announced; however both the tenders were cancelled later.
Upadhyay added: “Mobile telephony started in 1996. BSNL got permit after five years in 2001 to start it. Within a year, BSNL acquired top position. Shortage of equipments pulled us down but now we will strive to regain our leadership.” GTB
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