As per the alliance with Ericsson which, Mr Goushal said, was non-exclusive in nature, Ericsson will be supplying base transreciever stations (BTSs) and mobile switching centres (MSCs), while HFCL will be chipping in with transmision equipment. The non-exclusive clause would mean that HFCL is free to enter into more such alliances for future equipment supply orders, that it sees emanating especially from the private cellular operators after the fourth licence.

"We'd certainly be looking to consolidate our order book after the fourth licence," said Mr Goushal. The company is keenly watching developments in the cellular industry. Commenting on the rationale of the alliance with Ericsson, which itself has been a major player in the Indian GSM network equipment market, Mr Goushal said: "Apart from our experience, we bring to the table cost effective equipment which Erricson would have had to outsource from somebody," he added.