Domestic firms have an edge in BSNL's contentious 4G-network tender

The move is significant because it will permit only large Indian companies, with financial muscle especially in the IT space

Prospective bidders for the contentious 4G network turnkey contract of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and MTNL need to have a minimum average annual turnover of Rs 2,300 crore in the past three financial years FY18 to FY20 or calendar years 2017 to 2019.

Their company should be registered in India to be eligible to participate in the tender.

A draft expression of interest (EoI), which is under finalisation by BSNL, has imposed a condition that the intellectual property right (IPR), or the licence for the source code for software of the 4G core elements, which accounts for a large part of