BSNL is in full swing to enhance its WiMax services, because it is the best platform where they have targetted to fetch multi-billion dollar revenues over the next decades. It has a vision to put the users at ease  to access the high speed internet and data application through wireless mode.

Many WiMax service providers throngs to partner with BSNL and it has also got bids from five companies- Adishwar India, Ampoules, Teracom Limited, E-mall Infotech and Tech solutions Ltd. BSNL also added that the project will be on a revenue sharing basis and successful bidders must also do the marketing and provide after sale support.

The WIMAX project was early on to start but was delayed because the five of the six shortlisted companies WiExpert Communications, SV Telecom Systems, Digitelco Communications, Spectrus Communications and Technotial Infoways—were acting as ‘fronts’ as they 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.

The new bidders coexist as partners where ZTE is partnering E-Mall and Tech solutions for the contract. Cisco has submitted its bid through Teracom while Alvarion is partnering Adishwar and Ampouls. BSNL is now analyzing the bids or expression of interest (EoI) for launching WiMAX services in 16 circles that covers Haryana, Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, North East, kolkata, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, J&K, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu- Chennai and West Bengal.

BSNL already has a tie-up with US-headquartered Soma Networks, which runs WiMax services for the PSU in the circles of Gujarat, Maharashtra, including Goa and Andhra Pradesh. Soma is also under doubt by its absence in bidding process.

BSNL’s new guidelines for the franchisee model stipulate that bidding companies should have minimum turnover of Rs 100 crore. Huawei which emerged as the highest bidder for the rural WiMAX contract did not submit its bid for the urban project.

However the restricted WiMax band is 2.3GHz only, in order to extend it up to 2.5GHz an approval from Department of Space is indispensable. However the initiation taken by BSNL to vibrate our nation with WiMax service is appreciable but for rural areas, there arise serious concerns about a profitable business model.

There also arises a question whether the WiMax services will reach the rural areas without any interruptions?