According to NT sources, Detecon will thoroughly supervise the installation process to make sure the vendor is delivering the equipment and service as mentioned in MoU.[break]
The German firm had proposed the lowest bid, which amounts around €2.7 million, for the job. Detecon - a division of Deutsche Telecom -- is a recognized name globally, particularly for management and technology consultancy services.
NT is handing over the 10 million GSM lines project to Chinese vendor Huawei Technologies. Huawei had proposed the lowest bid or Rs 5.7 billion for the project.
Earlier, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had directed NT to put the project on hold, suspecting irregularities in the tender process. After four-month investigation, the constitutional anti-graft body in January concluded that there was no foul play in the tender process and directed NT to go ahead with the plan.
“We´ve already issued letter of intent to Detecon for the supervision of the project being carried out by Huawei,” a senior official of NT said, adding that the MoU will be signed by next week.
Detecon will carry out the supervision of the first phase of the project. NT will call tender for the supervision of the second phase of the project later on.
NT´s project is often questioned in terms of effectiveness and quality due to political influence, an NT source said. “The supervision task will become more effective this time, as there will be no room for political influence,” the source added.
The mega project has been designed to address demand for GSM lines until 2015.
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