Govt shortlists 4 cos for BSNL's WiMAX franchise

The government today said it has shortlisted four companies, including Teracom and Adishwar India, for BSNL's WiMAX franchise.

"The names of the companies shortlisted for franchise of BSNL WiMAX are Teracom, Take Solutions, Adishwar India and Ampoules & Auto," minister of state for communications and IT Gurudas Kamat told the Rajya Sabha a written reply.

He said the bidding norms requires these companies to be registered in the country for more than two years with a minimum turnover of Rs 100 crore in each of the last two years or a WiMAX operator in a foreign country.

In case the bidder is a foreign operator, the firm is required to submit an undertaking that they will register a wholly-owned company here before signing the agreement with BSNL within 30 days of signing the letter of intent from BSNL.

Compliance with FDI and other applicable norms is also required by such companies, he added.

Replying to a separate question, Kamat said though the timeline for implementation of mobile number portability (MNP) is by March 31, it is unlikely that it would be met.

"Since all networks are not likely to be completely ready by March 31, the deadline is not likely to be met. The revised time line will be announced after ascertaining the status from all stakeholders," he said.