CPaaS Providers Seek CCI Intervention Over Bank Of Baroda Tender

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Communications Platform as a Service providers and registered telemarketers have approached the Competition Commission of India seeking intervention against a ₹3,100 crore tender floated by Bank of Baroda for bulk messaging services.

Industry stakeholders alleged that the tender contains restrictive eligibility conditions that unfairly exclude a large section of the CPaaS ecosystem.

According to representations submitted to the regulator, the tender limits participation exclusively to telecom operators.

CPaaS companies argued that the condition prevents nearly 2,000 registered telemarketers and service providers from competing in the bidding process.

They claimed the criteria violate principles of transparency, competitive neutrality, and equal opportunity under public procurement guidelines.

Industry participants further stated that restricted participation could distort price discovery and reduce the efficiency of public expenditure.

Gurugram-based Dove Soft reportedly informed the regulator that the conditions create market entry barriers and exclude capable firms from fair competition.

Messaging platform Gupshup also urged the competition regulator to recommend cancellation and reissuance of the tender with broader and non-discriminatory eligibility norms.

The company argued that inclusive participation would ensure a level playing field and improve competitive pricing outcomes.

In response, Bank of Baroda clarified that it already works with multiple service providers, including CPaaS firms, for bulk messaging operations.

The bank stated that the fresh request for proposal aims to onboard additional telecom operators to strengthen scalability, improve delivery performance, and support future operational growth.

The public sector lender also confirmed it would conduct a reverse auction on the Government e-Marketplace platform to determine the most competitive commercial offer.

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Pragati Upadhyay

I report stories and occasionally rescue facts from chaos. By profession, I’m a journalist; by conviction, a social worker who believes words should move people, not just headlines. I question power, celebrate ordinary heroes, and sometimes irritate the comfortable. If truth had a shift, I’d probably be working overtime.