Even though Agilent maintained its leadership position in the Indian communications T&M market during 2000-01, it did not have much to cheer about. While the DoT market did not offer much in terms of orders, neither did the private sector, Agilent’s strength area. This was largely because there was no implementation of new technologies like GPRS or VoIP. Besides, as policy confusion loomed large over cellular operators, they put all network upgradation plans on hold. As such, Agilent had to contend with selling just pieces of boxes, for there were no big orders.

As for the size of business and its turnover during 2000-01, of an estimated communications test and measurement market of Rs 370 crore, Agilent’s share would be around Rs 105 crore or around 30 percent. While the company claims to have a lion’s share i.e. 60-65 percent in the T&M market catering to the private sector communications companies, the tender driven BSNL market remains its Achilles’ heels. Agilent’s share in the DoT’s T&M market wasn’t more than 20 percent. This is largely because of the fact that DoT tenders are won on the basis of the lowest quoted price, something Agilent always finds to be an unfeasible business proposition. However, as there was not much business from DoT last year, the company’s overall communications T&M market share went up.