BSNL eyes telecom contracts in Iraq
By siliconindia   |   Monday, 28 July 2003, 19:30 IST
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CHANDIGARH: The state sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is now eyeing war ravaged Iraq for restoration of telecom connectivity channels. According to a leading newspaper in India, the corporation has been approached by a few companies including American multinationals who have already bagged telecom contracts in Iraq. “These companies have asked us to explore the possibility of laying out basic services as well as mobile services in that country,” BSNL chairman and managing director Prithipal Singh was quoted as saying. Singh said that BSNL is in direct touch with these companies and more details on the development will be available in the coming week. As to why the corporation has not taken up work directly, Singh said that only a four to five companies the world over have been declared eligible to take up telecom contracts in Iraq. BSNL will be looking at entering into a sub contracting arrangement with these companies. He said that these companies have recognized BSNL's expertise in rolling out large networks. “We have put up 34 million mobile connections in 1200 cities and towns across the country within a period of one year. At 4 crore connections, we are also running one of the largest basic service networks,” he said. He said that BSNL is also in the process taking up telecom contracts in Kenya. The corporation has already won a contract for providing services in Nepal, he said.

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