State-run telecom major BSNL's plans to expand the GSM network has again come across a hurdle with Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) refusing to accept its share of the 22.5-million-lines contract due to price differences.Ericsson was awarded 60% of the total contract and NSN being the second lowest bidder was given the rest. Ericsson had quoted about $107 per line, while NSN quote was about $167.'Negotiations are still on... Price difference was the main reason for NSN not accepting the order,' Kuldip Goyal, CMD, BSNL, said."We are exploring three alternatives -- award of whole contract to Ericsson, talking to BSNL's existing vendors for add-on capacity and finally floating a fresh tender," Goyal said.The final decision on the contract is expected to be taken within a month, he said.Asked whether Ericsson is willing to accept the full order, Goyal said: "We will write to Ericsson for this."He also indicated that in case of fresh tender the PSU may do away with the clause of having manufacturing base in India that was a must to participate in the tender.Deletion of this clause would allow more companies, especially from China like ZTE and Huawei that have not been able to set up manufacturing facilities in India, to participate in the tendering process.ZTE could not qualify for BSNL tender, while US company Motorola was disqualified on technical grounds.
