MTNL calls for Rs 750 crore open tender

NEW DELHI: To boost the mobile services in the national capital the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has called for Rs 750 crore open tender for setting up 2 million GSM lines.

MTNL officials said that the tender included planning, engineering, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the entire 2G network of GSM and 3G network of 'Release 4 WDCA technology' and higher versions, and other associated networks for SMS, MMS and value-added services.

“The tender has been called in two phases. Each tender would be for setting up 1 million GSM lines,” officials said. In the first phase there will be addition of 0.75 million lines to enhance the existing 2G services and 0.25 million lines that are 3G-enabled and under the Phase II, 0.5 million each of both 2G and 3G lines will be installed.

For Phase I, successful bidders could supply equipment as completely built units, while for the next phase, 50 per cent of the main equipment, including radio and switching networks, must be manufactured in India with a minimum value addition of 30 per cent, the company added.

Currently, the total subscriber base of the telecom player is around 55 lakh including mobile and landline services. MTNL MTNL provides basic, cellular, Internet and broadband services in both Delhi and Mumbai.