BSNL cancels WiMax tender in AP, Maharashtra, Gujarat

New Delhi, June 3 : State-run telecom firm BSNL today said it has cancelled the current tender to roll out high- speed wireless broadband (WiMax) in the three key circles of Gujarat, Andhra Paredesh and Maharashtra, but ruled out any impact on its expansion plans.
"We had to cancel the Wi max roll-out in three states -- Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra -- as the model to be adopted in these states were franchise-led roll-out. As we did not find any suitable applications our southern zone evaluation committe decided to seek fresh bids," BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goyal told PTI.

Wi Max, the higher version of 3G technology, allows users wireless access to high-speed internet and other data applications over a large area.

He said this in no way would affect the Wi-Max roll-out plans of BSNL as the PSU is directly procuring equipment for the rest of the country and rolling out under its own supervision.

"There is no impact of this cancellation... We have already set up 1000 BTS in our existing circles (other than these three states)," he said.

BSNL operates all over India except Delhi and Mumbai.

Goyal, however, did not give any fresh dates for the new bids. PTI