The telecom department (DoT) is likely to ask Wipro to set up a state-of-the-art lab in India to test network gear used by mobile phone companies as it has failed to reach an agreement on the proposed funding model with Tech Mahindra, which had earlier evinced an interest to set up such a lab. Wipro is learnt to have also communicated to DoT that the minimum cost of setting up such a test lab would be $50-$100 million (275- 550 crore). DoT wants to hasten the test lab venture, which has been delayed for three years. In fact, it was recently compelled to extend the deadline from April 1 to October 31, 2013, for mobile phone companies who have been mandated to only use telecom gear tested by an authorized lab in India. Read More