Nokia questions credibility of BSNL's panel findings on GSM deal
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Bangalore: Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) after having been disqualified from the bidding process for Bharat Sanchar Nigam's (BSNL) GSM deal, has questioned the credibility of the findings of the independent panel set up by the state owned telecom operator, reports Business Line. The independent panel, which comprised former officials from the Central Vigilance Commission, upheld BSNL's decision to disqualify Nokia Siemens from the bidding process. The Finnish company, in a fresh letter to the Chairman of BSNL said, "In our view, the process adopted by the Independent External Monitors (IEM) denuded us of a fair opportunity. Our representatives made two presentations before the IEMs and on both these occasions, the officials of BSNL were present. However, we were not invited to be present when BSNL made its presentation before the IEM." "Another ground on which we impeach the credibility of the IEM report is that the IEMs during their determination have considered additional documents which were never disclosed let alone shown to us at the time of hearing. This has compromised our defence in the matter and thus is arbitrary and inequitable," NSN stated. BSNL had short-listed Ericsson and Huawei for the contract and disqualified Nokia Siemens, Alcatel Lucent and ZTE on technical grounds. According to Nokia, the report was a "Mere reproduction of the comments alleged to have been offered by BSNL and there has been very little independent application of mind whilst determining the tenacity of our claims. It is actually surprising that no issue the IEMs have either held against BSNL or even differed from the reasoning given by BSNL to reject our bids." The company said that the technical evaluation committee had taken a more favourable view towards one of the bidders even though it had also not submitted documents required to qualify. The 19 page letter sent by NSN to BSNL has given a point-by-point rebuttal of the findings made by the IEM. The company has sought a review of the entire case by BSNL. Since NSN has been supplying GSM equipment to BSNL and private Indian players in the past it has not agreed to a disqualification on 'technical' parameters.

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