BSNL in talks for overseas foray

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is in talks with telecom operators in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria to make a foray into the overseas telecommunications market.

"We are in talks with some private operators in Saudi Arabia for a joint venture to start telecom mobile services. However, nothing has materialised so far," BSNL officials said, adding that the operator might also explore opportunities in other African countries like Senegal.

BSNL, which has been in talks for management control of the soon-to-be-privatised Nigerian Telecommunications Ltd, is also looking at other opportunities in the country, including an entry into the fixed land line service.