US-based telecom equipment maker Motorola is eyeing big Wi-MAX contracts in India and is planning to bid for state-run BSNL’s urban Wi-MAX project.

“We are very much focused on Wi-MAX...we had bid for BSNL’s rural Wi-MAX project and our bid is in the technical evaluation stage and after this proof concept would start,” Subhendu Mohanty, Motorola India Country Head, Home & Network Mobility Business, said.

Wi-MAX is a standard-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL.

The rural project of BSNL includes offering broadband connection through the Wi-MAX network in 40,000 odd primary and secondary schools by 2008. Additionally, BSNL will set up 50,000 Wi-MAX kiosks.

The second tender valued at Rs.20 billion will see BSNL’s plans for urban areas and will include roll out of Wi-MAX services in 70 cities across the country in 2008.  Motorola is planning to bid for this as well. These are opportunities in the range of $100-150 million, Mohanty said.

The US-major is currently engaged in the trial run of Bharti’s Wi-MAX project. Motorola, which faces stiff competition from rivals like Nokia Siemens Network, Ericsson, was last year disqualified by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) from participating in its 3G network on technical ground. Although Wi-MAX contracts are much lesser in size, they can supplement a network vender’s revenue.           

Source:indiajournal