BSNL’s BharatNet III: Domestic telecom gear makers cry foul

NEW DELHI: Homegrown telecom equipment companies led by a local industry group said that the bidding conditions mandating a combined 50% value addition of active and passive components locally would discourage Centre’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) ambition in the Rs 65,000-crore BharatNet phase III initiative.

“This is unfortunate that BharatNet III tender terms include a value addition of 50% involving both active and passive elements which is contrary to the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” RK Bhatnagar, director general, Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (Voice) told ETTelecom, adding that a bunch of local companies, facing multinationals, may be either put off or disqualified.