Date:04/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/04/stories/2007070452761000.htm

Back Raja asks BSNL to review tender

New Delhi, July 3

In a bid to lower the costs of the project, the Communications and IT Minister, Mr A. Raja, has told BSNL to review the size of the 3G component in the 45 million cellular line tender. The move will further delay BSNL’s roll out plans even as private operators are ramping up their networks. DoT sources said that as per the original tender, 25 per cent of the project was meant to be for 3G equipment. The Minister has now told BSNL to consider reducing it so that the c ost per line would fall below $100. Ericsson had emerged as the lowest bidder for the project by quoting $107 per line. While Mr Raja has been insisting that the cost should fall below $100, Ericsson has refused to budge.

– Our Bureau