BSNL 5G Launch Again Delayed, Expected By This Date; TCS Is The Culprit Here?

We recently reported that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited will be rolling out 4G services by  September 2022.

However, there seems to be a glitch in the plan, and the launch of 4g services has been delayed yet again.

As per reports, TCS is at fault here!

BSNL 4G Launch Delayed Yet Again; TCS At Fault?

It was reported in October that BSNL will be launching 4G within six months or by the next financial year. 

BSNL has reportedly raised concerns about not honoring the Expression of Interest (EoI) rules. TCS had been asked by BSNL to use 40W radios for the demonstration of 4G. However, TCS mostly deployed 20W radios. 

The trials with 20W radios were successful but for BSNL, its use wasn’t the optimum way. 

This has led to a change in the schedule as TCS will now step up the 40W radios on selected sites. This will be done by December 20, which will be followed by the starting of trials by December 23. There is a possibility that the trials will be extended till January 15, 2021. 

This means that the trials will be extended till January 15, 2022.

PAN India Launch Delayed; BSNL 4G To Be Launched By 2023

Also, the launch of the 4G networks across India will be postponed until 2023. 

BSNL launched its VoLTE services for its 4G network in the South Zone in Coimbatore last year. Later on, the upgraded protocol was expanded to more cities/circles, including Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

BSNL will now be launching 4G services across India by September 2022 and has also given an estimate of an incremental revenue of about Rs. 900 crore in the first year from this rollout, as informed to the Parliament.

Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan said, “BSNL has estimated that with pan-India 4G rollout, an incremental revenue of around Rs 900 crore is expected in the first year from operations.”

The importance of having an indigenously developed 4G network increased after curbs were placed on purchase of telecom equipment from China.

Government think tank NITI Aayog reiterated the same and suggested that the plans go ahead despite high costs. Even as 5G technology deployment is around the corner for the rest of the world, 4G technology will maintain its importance in the Indian telecom sector.