BSNL 4G tech deal with TCS: Desi 4G, rollout timeline and other details

The government has approved Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd’s (BSNL) plan to go ahead with Rs 30,000-plus crore order to Tata Group companies TCS and Tejas Networks for rolling out 4G network. This marks the re-entry of the group in the big telecom business. The order has been in the works for nearly two years. While Rs 26,821 crore is for installing one lakh towers for BSNL-MTNL 4G network, the rest is for installation of additional 25,000 towers for various government-funded projects in Naxalite-infested areas, Lakshadweep islands and 4G saturation projects. As part of the deal, along with setting up the 4G sites, TCS will have to maintain the network for nine years. Tejas Networks is expected to locally manufacture the network equipment for BSNL.

Sources said the total value of the tender has been increased from previous estimates after the Tata group pointed out to strong changes in the exchange rate and inflationary pressures. An amount of Rs 1,500 crore will also be given out to the vendors on furnishing of a bank guarantee which is equal to 110% of the advance

Desi 4GThe vision is to Atmanirbhar 4G technology stack and the TCS-led consortium also includes state-owned CDOT, which will provide locally-developed core for the network, sources told TOI. The TCS consortium has already cleared the proof of concept (PoC) for the project, making it the “single vendor” that is eligible for the tender now (some reservation quota has been made here for ITI). The TCS-Tejas-CDOT consortium will now be developing the entire 4G network of BSNL and MTNL indigenously. This is the first instance where a homegrown initiative will match the scale, sophistication, and standards of global giants such as Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei, and Samsung. The government believes that a successful rollout of BSNL’s 4G network could help India get into the club of countries — such as the United States, Sweden, Finland, South Korea and China — that have developed telecom network technology.

BSNL 4G services to start in DecemberAn official in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) told ET that BSNL, with some 111 million wireless subscribers, will aim to launch 4G services by December or January, and gradually roll out the network across the country.