BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) is set to roll out not only indigenous 4G but also indigenous 5G. Currently, Jio is the only telecom operator in the country with an indigenous 5G stack. Now, BSNL is poised to join this category as C-DoT (Centre for Development of Telematics) works on a 5G stack. However, it is worth noting that the 4G core developed by C-DoT has encountered issues, delaying BSNL’s 4G rollout.
Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), has confirmed that work is underway to develop indigenous 5G technology. The technology BSNL is deploying for 4G will be upgradable to 5G.
Lahoti stated, “While BSNL is upgrading its infrastructure to 4G, it was decided to use indigenous technology. A lot of work has been done by BSNL with the Indian industry, and I am sure they are on the verge of success. We shall see the successful rollout of a completely indigenous 4G network in the country, covering almost one lakh sites and creating a whole ecosystem of indigenous technology.”
BSNL will deploy this indigenous technology across one lakh sites in India to provide high-speed 4G networks to customers. Tejas Networks is supplying the RAN (Radio Access Network) equipment to BSNL, having already supplied equipment for over 10,000 sites. The remaining equipment for 90,000 sites will be delivered within the next three to four quarters.
According to Niraj Verma, Administrator of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and Additional Secretary (T) of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), one million users are already connected to the indigenous 4G stack that has been deployed.
