State-owned BSNL could make a bid for telecom license in Tunisia, in a move to expand its operations outside India. Africa is considered as a high potential market.

BSNL’s CMD Kuldeep Goyal has said that they are looking to propose a bid for license in Tunisia with Telecommunications Consultants of India Ltd and added that the management has not come down to a decision as yet.

While explaining the move, Mr Goyal said the continent’s poor tele-density of Africa and the growing mobile usage have been the key reasons for entering the region.

According to analysts, BSNL will face a tough competition from Tunisia’s two existing operators and projected $10 million to be the minimum bid.

The late date for the submission of bids for the license is May 5 and that it would include a composite one for fixed-line, 2G and 3G.

Analysts said the new operators trying to enter the Tunisian market have to face tough competition from the two existing operators.

The market of Tunisia is well-penetrated with 80 percent of the population owning mobile phones.