(a) whether the ambitious project for setting up of a nation wide long distance telecom network of Power Grid Corporation of India has failed to evoke interest among major international telecom operators;
(b) if so, the main reasons therefor;
(c) the number of bids received for the above projects within the country and from outside;
(d) whether this is a major warning signal for the telecom investment scenario; and
(e) if so, the steps being taken by Government to encourage forex inflow?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )
(a) to (e): In response to the `Expression of Interest` issued
in the last week of March, 2000 for selection of joint venture
partner for establishment of National Long Distance Operation
(NLDO), POWERGRID has received seven proposals from major
domestic and international telecom operators. These include four
offers from domestic firms and three offers from consortium of
international and domestic firms. Considering the massive telecom
backbone infrastructure required to be established for becoming
an NLDO, the response is considered to be satisfactory.