VNL, HFCL emerge lowest bidders for BSNL gear supply deal in naxal-hit areas.

Delhi-based VNL Ltd. and Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd. (HFCL) have emerged the lowest (L1) and second-lowest (L2) bidders respectively for supplying telecom gear worth over Rs. 2,500 crore for the much-awaited rollout of mobile networks by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. in nine Naxal-hit states.

While VNL would have to meet 70% of the supply requirements, HFCL would need to meet the balance, Anupam Shrivastava, BSNL's director (consumer mobility), told ET. The two companies would also be responsible for running the mobile networks in the regions prone to left-wing extremism for five years, post-installation, a possible reason why foreign vendors stayed away from bidding for the contract.

The Telecom Commission had recently urged BSNL to invite fresh bids from network gear suppliers after its initial tendering exercise was scrapped over cost issues. The TC is the highest decision making body in the communications ministry.


ET