BSNL not to call new bids for GSM order

State telecoms Bharat Sanchar Nigam does not plan to call new bids for a 93-million GSM line order, its chairman said on Friday.

The Business Standard newspaper had reported on Thursday the telecoms ministry had suggested a fresh tender to ensure more participation and better prices.

BSNL Chairman Kuldeep Goyal said the firm had ordered 8 million 2G GSM lines from Chinese network-gear maker Huawei, to be used in southern Indian states, but did not say how much the deal was worth.

He also said Sweden's Ericsson had been shortlisted for providing lines to be used in northern and eastern states, and that price negotiations were going on.