BSNL has not too long ago concluded the set up of 100,000 towers for the supply of 4G companies nationwide
In sum – what to know:
BSNL plans subsequent 100,000 towers – State-run telco BSNL is getting ready to put in one other 100,000 4G towers after reaching its preliminary 100,000 towers throughout India.
TCS-led consortium powers rollout – BSNL’s community growth depends on homegrown tech from a consortium led by TCS and supported by Tejas Networks, C-DOT and ITI.
5G rollout – Current studies acknowledged that the telco will launch 5G companies as soon as its 4G providing is totally stabilized.
Indian state-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Restricted (BSNL) is paving the way in which to deploy one other 100,000 4G towers throughout India, following the profitable set up of practically 100,000 towers, native press reported, citing India’s Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandrasekhar.
In an interview with native newspaper The New Indian Specific, the minister revealed that the Division of Telecommunications (DoT) is planning to method the Union Cupboard for approval of the following part of BSNL’s 4G growth.
“After efficiently putting in 100,000 towers with optimum 4G gear, we are going to method the Cupboard and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve one other 100,000 towers,” he mentioned. “We additionally plan to extend BSNL’s money stream, which is able to allow us to put in extra 4G and 5G gear and to monetize BSNL’s belongings,” the official added.
In Might 2023, the telco awarded a contract to a Tata Consultancy Providers (TCS)-led consortium, which incorporates Tejas Networks, the Heart for Growth of Telematics (C-DOT) — the developer of BSNL’s 4G core — and ITI Ltd. The settlement covers the provision of 4G gear for 100,000 telecom towers. It additionally contains community parts, together with third-party parts and a 10-year annual upkeep contract.
When requested about early issues relating to the standard and efficiency of BSNL’s 4G gear, the minister acknowledged preliminary points however emphasised notable progress. “There have been some issues with the gear to start with. However now, it’s functioning properly. We count on it to function close to perfection by the top of July or August subsequent yr,” he mentioned.
He additionally addressed the technological hole between BSML and international distributors: “Corporations like Nokia and Ericsson have a legacy of 30 to 40 yr, whereas BSNL’s Indian-made gear is just two to 3 years previous. We’re doing numerous optimization and fixes, which is able to lead to a high-quality product,” Chandrasekhar added.
Concerning BSNL’s capability to retain its buyer base, the minister highlighted the restrictions attributable to its present community infrastructure within the 4G subject.
“One main limitation is that we at the moment have solely 100,000 4G towers. Compared, Reliance Jio and Airtel every have greater than 500,000 towers,” he mentioned.
He additional expressed confidence that the state-run telco will start regaining subscribers as soon as its 4G deployment is extra intensive. “When the 4G rollout occurs correctly, the telco will begin retaining the subscriber,” the minister acknowledged.
Current studies instructed that the state-run telco might be able to launch its 5G community as early as June 2025, positioning the corporate to raised compete with non-public suppliers like Reliance Jio and Airtel, who already provide 5G companies in lots of elements of the nation.
BSNL is getting ready for a nationwide 5G rollout after reaching a stabilization of its ongoing 4G deployment, in keeping with latest studies, which cited the nation’s Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, as saying.
Scindia confirmed that BSNL will change to 5G know-how solely after its 4G community is totally stabilized and meets service high quality requirements. “As soon as the 100,000 towers can be put up and the community is stabilized, as soon as we see that the QoS is on top of things, after which we begin switching. Transferring from 4G to 5G is just not that tough,” he mentioned.
Additionally, the Indian authorities has dominated out international participation in BSNL’s 5G deployment.
To ship 5G SA companies, BSNL will make the most of the 900 MHz and three.3 GHz spectrum bands. Initially, the rollout will goal 100,000 subscribers, with plans to introduce 5G Fastened Wi-fi Entry (FWA) companies. The telco has already examined its 5G indigenous know-how at three areas in New Delhi — Nehru Place, Chanakyapuri and Minto Highway.
