BSNL finalizes vendors for world's largest billing project

BSNL has finalized the list of eligible vendors after the Expression of Interest (EOI) exercise for end-to-end implementation of Call Detail Records (CDRs)-based customer care and convergent billing system. The total cost of the project spanning across various phases, according to an estimate, is $1 billion.

The short listed vendors are: Accenture India, Electronic Data Solution (India), HCL Infosystems, IBM Global Services India, Mahindra British Telecom, Motorola India,

Satyam Computers Services, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Infotech, Wipro Infotech.

The project involves deployment of centralized integrated billing systems with supporting technological and communication infrastructure. The convergent billing shall be based on CDR to be obtained from different type of network elements capable of generating billable information, using centralized mediation system. Since all switches do not support generation of 100% CDRs, the Billing & Mediation system shall also support meter reading-based billing, which is presently in practice in addition to CDR-based billing in the same billing system. BSNL envisages building of country wide intranet, reducing the cost of operation, increasing revenue realization, stopping leakage of revenue besides providing round-the-clock best customer care operations.

The idea is to implement the CDR-based billing and customer care solution throughout India with four zones and four data centers. This will be achieved by floating two tenders for carrying out implementation in two zones each to be referred as tender one for CDR Project 1 and tender two for CDR project 2.

BSNL intends to limit the number of technically and commercially responsive bidders to one from the list of such bidders arranged in increasing order of their evaluated prices starting from the lowest for the purpose of ordering against this tender. The bidder with the lowest evaluated price will be considered for supply of the entire tendered quantity as per the delivery schedule.

It should be noted that same bidder/ SI would not be awarded contract for both projects i.e CDR project one and CDR project two. The implementation plan for the first project would be in two phases, according to a BSNL release. In the concept phase, the vendor will have to set up of two data centers at east and south zones and implement all the software solutions for along with the networking components meant for the four SSAs, Bangalore, Vijawada, Kolkata and Patna. However, in the roll out phase, implementation of CDR-based billing and customer care system in all the remaining SSAs of the two zones (70 and 63 respectively) will be completed.

For the project two, the implementation plan would be in two phases, according to a BSNL release. In the concept phase, the vendor will have to set up of two data centers at West and North Zones and implement all the software solutions for along with the networking components meant for the six SSAs, Chandigarh, Ambala, Lucknow, Pune, Ahmedabad and Indore. However, in the roll out phase, implementation of CDR-based billing and customer care system in all the remaining SSAs of the two zones (106 and 84 respectively) will be completed.

Scope of the contract is for design, planning, supply, installation, customization, commissioning, training; operation for a year and maintenance of end-to-end CDR based customer care and convergent billing system.

SUDESH PRASAD

NEW DELHI