Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has invited bids from foreign companies for the management and operation of its 3G mobile services on a revenue-sharing franchisee basis for a period of 10 years.

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has invited bids from foreign companies for the management and operation of its 3G mobile services on a revenue-sharing franchisee basis for a period of 10 years. Despite having launched these services first, MTNL has failed to generate a substantial 3G user base. The foreign players, with experience of running 3G services, are being invited to guarantee steady returns from the 3G service to MTNL.

Applications have been sought from only those companies that have at least 1 million 3G customers across at least two countries with revenues of more than Rs 1.5 billion over the past two years. The last date for submission of bids is September 9, 2009. The successful franchisee will be required to sign separate agreements for the Delhi and Mumbai circles and set up operations within three months of entering into the deal.