DoT has invited bids from telecom operators and tower companies for setting up 8,000 towers in villages using subsidy from the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund.

DoT has invited bids from telecom operators and tower companies for setting up 8,000 towers in villages using subsidy from the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund. The total estimated cost is Rs 40 billion. The bids are expected to be opened on February 20 and the process completed by March 2007. RCL, RailTel, Acme Telepower, Ericsson India, Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited (HFCL) and GTL Infrastructure are among the 22 infrastructure firms that have been shortlisted.