BSNL said the core of its 4G network is being developed by the Center for Development of Telematics (C-DoT).
Indian state-run telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is reportedly seeking technical support from Nokia and China’s ZTE to help integrate earlier technology into its new 4G network, according to local press reports.
Indian newspaper Economic Times reported that Nokia and ZTE are the network equipment suppliers for BSNL’s existing 2G and 3G networks Now, the Indian carrier is seeking help from ZTE and Nokia to help integrate its 2G and 3G networks with the indigenously developed 4G network.
BSNL is looking for help from Nokia and ZTE to stabilize its outdoor 4G services using their core network expertise, the report added.
The core of BSNL’s 4G network is indigenous, developed by the Center for Development of Telematics (C-DoT). The radio equipment for the 4G network is being supplied by local company Tejas Networks, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) working as system integrator. Indian authorities said only Indian telecom vendors would be allowed to supply equipment for state-run telecoms BSNL and MTNL’s 4G and 5G projects, as part of the country’s efforts to reduce reliance on international suppliers.
C-DoT has earlier conducted successful trials of its indigenous 4G core on BSNL’s commercial network in Chandigarh and Ambala.
BSNL recently said that it has already activated 3,500 4G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) across the country. These 4G sites were set up in several states including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh West.
BSNL highlighted that these 3,500 sites offer 4G services on both commercial and experimental basis, adding that BSNL aims to launch full commercial 4G services nationwide soon.
A BSNL executive mentioned that commercial services can be launched once the telco’s 4G network reaches 20,000 active base stations nationally. BSNL had earlier said that it expects to provide 4G services nationwide by deploying 100,000 base stations.
According to recent press reports, BSNL is targeting a 20% market share of the country’s overall mobile market by the end of 2024 by accelerating the rollout of its 4G network.
BSNL’s workers’ union recently urged the government to use rival operator Vodafone Idea’s network to initially offer 4G services in the country.
In a recent letter to Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnab, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Employees Union (BSNLEU) general secretary P Abhimanyu said that BSNL’s customers are porting out “massively” as the operator is currently not offering 4G services.
The Government of India is the largest shareholder of Vodafone Idea Limited, holding a 33.1% stake UK’s Vodafone and India’s Aditya Birla Group jointly own 50.4% of Vodafone Idea.
According to reports, the possible use of Vodafone Idea’s 4G network will only be a temporary arrangement until BSNL’s 4G network becomes commercially available.
