HFCL gets Rs 579 cr order from BSNL for 2G network

Telecom equipment maker HFCL today said that it has received advance purchase order worth Rs 579 crore from state-run firm BSNL for building 2G network in Assam.

"... the company has received an advance purchase order worth Rs 579 crore approximately from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited ..for survey, planning, supply, intsallation, testing, commissioning..maintenance for five years of 2G GSM BSS network," Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd said in a BSE filing.

The company will deploy the network through mircowave radio and VSAT backhaul in uncovered villages of Karbi Anglong and Dima Haso dsitricts of Assam.

"The network will include 924 BTS (base station) sites and cater to 1,313 villages," the filing said.

The order is part of Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for the north-eastern region, approved by Cabinet in 2014, to provide 2G mobile coverage in 8,621 uncovered villages and areas along with national highways in the North-East with an outlay of Rs 5,336.18 crore.

Bharti Airtel has also been entrusted to set up over 2004 mobile towers to connect about 2,128 villages in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, parts of Assam and national highways in north-eastern States. Besides, BSNL has been assigned to install 2,817 mobile towers to provide coverage in 4,119 uncovered villages in the region.