BSNL to Target CDMA Segment

BSNL to Target CDMA Segment

Techtree News Staff, Aug 18, 2008 1240 hrs IST

With investment plans of INR 2000 crore, BSNL has asked handset manufacturers to submit their interests on a national level tie-up.

While CDMA majors are looking to enter the GSM market, BSNL is going the other way around with its grand plans for the CDMA market. BSNL has investment plans to the tune of Rs 2000 crore, and is planning schemes that offer bundled handsets.

As per reports, the company has asked handset manufacturers to submit their interests on a non-exclusive alliance at the national level. The letter to handset manufacturers states that BSNL will monitor their performance and may terminate the alliance if the manufacturer does not meet pre-defined standards. Moreover, the conditions state that the model should be locked for use in BSNL network only and should come with a 2-year replacement guarantee.

The selection will include a variety of criteria such as strength of the company (turnover, distribution channel, after-sales centres etc), product quality (specification, features etc), cost-effectiveness etc. Firms fulfilling all eligibility criteria may be selected and allotted circles, zones or made pan-India partners.