India's state owned telco MTNL plans to invite private players for network deployment of broadband WiMAX services on a revenue sharing basis.

"The expression of interest for BWA for deploying network on a revenue sharing basis, which was to open last month (June 19) will now be open shortly," said MTNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldip Singh.

MTNL operates in Delhi & Mumbai, and has been awarded the 20 MHz BWA spectrum. MTNL will allow one successful bidder each in its licensed area of Delhi and Mumbai for WiMAX deployment and operation.

The Indian government has already allotted BWA spectrum to four operators — Infotel, Bharti, Aircel and Tikona Digital, who have won licences in recent auctions. 

MTNL has paid about Rs 11,098 crore (Rs 6,574 crore for 3G and Rs 4,534 crore for BWA spectrum).