BSNL has shortlisted six infra companies to roll out passive cellular infrastructure across the country. These telecom companies include Acme, GTL Infra, Spanco and KEC. The contract will be awarded after the technical and financial evaluation is carried out by
BSNL.
The bids were invited zone wise. While BSNL had received bids from as many as four infrastructure firms for each zone, the contract will be awarded to the two lowest bidders in each zone.
The passive infrastructure for services includes setting up towers, power back-up, generator room and acquiring land for cell sites. The estimated cost of the work is pegged at over a billion dollar (approximately Rs 5,000 crore). The infrastructure is likely to support 93 million mobile subscribers across India.