HFCL Limited, along with its consortium partners, HFCL-Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)-Aerial Telecom Solutions Private Limited, has been declared as the lowest bidders by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), for bids valued at approximately Rs 69.25 billion to provide middle-mile network in Uttar Pradesh (East) and Uttar Pradesh (West) under the BharatNet Phase III programme.
The Consortium will be awarded 10 years of operations and maintenance (O&M) order at an annual rate of 5.5 per cent of capex for first five years and 6.5 per cent for the subsequent five years which will be of worth approximately Rs 41.55 billion, after commissioning of the first ring of network .
HFCL has also emerged as the top bidder for Punjab circle for a bid value of approximately Rs 12.44 billion in the BharatNet phase III tenders, on standalone basis.
Furthermore, HFCL is expected to secure 10 years of O&M order valued at around Rs 7.46 billion with annual rates of 5.5 per cent per annum of capex for first five years and 6.5 per cent per annum of capex for next five years, after commissioning of the first ring of network.
Commenting on the announcement, Mahendra Nahata, managing director, HFCL said, “Our proven track record in executing strategically critical projects, strengthens our standing as trusted partner of government of India. HFCL is well placed with a diverse product line that includes routers, optical fibre cables, fibre connectivity solutions, transport solutions, power management solutions etc., to address the needs of the BharatNet Phase III program. As a trusted BSNL partner, we look forward to continued collaborations and contributing significantly to the success of BharatNet Phase-III program.”
