Reliance outbids VSNL for BSNL's US calls

VSNL may have to take a hit of up to Rs 80 crore with the Tata-controlled company losing  substantial ISD traffic originating from BSNL to Reliance Infocomm.

After a fresh round of bidding, Reliance Infocomm has emerged as the first choice for carrying ISD calls of BSNL to the US, the most lucrative destination, followed by Bharti and VSNL, sources associated with the development said.

Both VSNL and BSNL differed over the traffic loss to Reliance Infocomm or Bharti. BSNL officials said 30-40% ISD traffic would now be carried by Reliance Infocomm and Bharti to different locations while VSNL officials said they would lose about 20% traffic.

Reliance is the first choice of BSNL for carrying traffic to the US and Canada while VSNL has retained the number one position for carrying the traffic to Europe and the Middle East.

BSNL gives nearly 50 million minutes of ISD calls per month.