MTNL dials franchise route for its WiMax services

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) has sought initial bids from possible franchise partners for its WiMAX roll-out.

As per media reports the deal would follow the same format as that of fellow WiMAX licensee Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) which was launched back in June, and be offered on a revenue-sharing basis

MTNL was awarded its WiMAX concession in August 2008, and in June this year, TeleGeography’s WiMAX research service reported that Russian operator Yota was in talks with the company to launch its WiMAX network in Delhi and Mumbai in a franchisee role along with another local partner.

The report stated that MTNL plans to achieve 500,000 users for its WiMax services in the next five years.