Indian telecom carrier BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam) plans to spend 4,000 crore Rupees (US$1.0 billion; US$1=39.2 Rupees) on establishing a WiMAX network covering one sixth of India's one billion population, according to a report by The Economics Times of India. In addition, BSNL set up 50,000 units WiMAX kiosks.

BSNL's WiMAX rollout project is divided into two tenders, each valued at 2,000 crore Rupees (US$510.2 million). The first tender, floated in early November, targets network deployment covering the small towns and rural regions of India. Via the first tender, the company plans to purchase 1,000 WiMAX base stations, based on 802.16e technology, as well as 100,000 units of CPE (Customer-Premises Equipment).

According to The Economic Times, the second-phase deployment is projected to cover 70 cities. In addition, it is reported that BSNL will raise the fund by itself.

BSNL's WiMAX service is slated for commencement by August 2008 in the rural regions and by year-end 2008 in the urban regions.