Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has reportedly offered to surrender its broadband wireless spectrum to the government. This is after its plans to rollout Wi-Max services through a franchisee model hit another roadblock.
The operator had paid Rs 83.137 billion for BWA spectrum in 2010. Further, it is believed that BSNL asked the government to refund this amount, while stating that it was willing to continue offering Wi-Max services in rural areas.
BSNL’s previous attempts to use its BWA spectrum have been unsuccessful as well. In 2009, it was forced to cancel its tender for awarding a Wi-Max franchise after its own investigations revealed that five of the six shortlisted companies, including WiExpert Communications; SV Telecom Systems; Digitelco Communications; Spectrus Communications and Technotial Infoways were the front companies of certain parties.
It was found that these companies shared the same corporate details, notaries, auditors and dates of incorporation, and even their last annual general body meeting was shown to be held on the same day. Thereafter, BSNL had to cancel the tender for the second time, after its process of shortlisting bidders came under scrutiny.
It subsequently awarded contracts to four companies, Teracom; Take Solutions; Adishwar
