Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the state-owned telecom operator, has taken another major step toward its goal of deploying 4G services across India. As part of its phased rollout strategy targeting 1 lakh 4G sites, BSNL has issued an add-on Advance Purchase Order (APO) worth ₹2,903 crore to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
In a recent stock exchange filing, TCS confirmed that the APO covers the planning, engineering, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and annual maintenance of 18,685 4G sites for BSNL.
Tejas Networks to Supply RAN Equipment
Following this, TCS has placed an order worth ₹1,525.53 crore with Tejas Networks to supply Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, which will be integrated into BSNL’s expanding 4G infrastructure. The equipment will play a crucial role in enhancing network quality and reach.
TCS-Led Consortium Supporting BSNL’s Rollout
The 4G rollout is being executed by a TCS-led consortium that includes Tejas Networks and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT). This partnership is part of a broader initiative to build indigenous telecom capabilities under the “Make in India” vision.
The fresh APO signals additional revenue opportunities for the consortium partners and reflects BSNL’s intent to accelerate the deployment of its 4G network to provide wider coverage and improved connectivity across the country.
More Orders Likely to Follow
While the current rollout is a significant milestone, industry experts believe BSNL will need to deploy well beyond 1 lakh 4G sites to meet the connectivity needs of a vast and diverse country like India. TCS is expected to receive further orders as the nationwide expansion continues.
This move is seen as a key enabler in boosting BSNL’s competitiveness and paving the way for a future upgrade to 5G using the same indigenous platform.
