Finally, BSNL 4G! State-run telecom company starts countrywide 4G rollout

State-run BSNL has started the process to roll out 4G services across the country with an outlay of around Rs 11,000 crore. The company has come out with a tender for installing 50,000 new 4G sites in north, east, west and south zones and around 7,000 new sites for Delhi and Mumbai zones (for MTNL) entailing an investment of Rs 8,697 crore. The last date for vendors to apply for contracts is May 8 and bids will be opened on May 9. Apart from that, around 43,000 2G and 3G sites of the company will be upgraded to 4G, costing another Rs 3,500-Rs 4,000 crore.

According to the bidding document, the company with the lowest evaluated price of the technically and commercially responsive bids (L1) will be given the choice to select any three of the five zones for which the tender has been floated. The L2 bidder, thereafter, will be given the choice to select any one of the remaining two zones at L1 price.