Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung may be allowed to bid for BSNL network expansion

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) may allow multinational providers such as Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung to upgrade 49,300 2G and 3G sites to fourth-generation or 4G technologies, seeking to accelerate the proliferation of next-generation commercial services, a senior telco official said.

“Last week, based on discussions held by the Empowered Technology Group (ETG), BSNL shared minutes of meetings (MoMs) with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which included removing a condition requiring indigenous firms to deploy a core network produced locally.” a person who knows about it said, adding that a formal decision has yet to be made by the nodes ministry. If allowed, the tender will be split in two to allow multinational providers to release 4G.

Earlier this month, an authorized group led by Chief Scientific Adviser K. Vijay Rogavan sought the views of the state-owned operator, including bottlenecks for the deployment of the next-generation telecommunications network.

The TV company advocated getting rid of restrictive items, such as the use of core 4G technology from local vendors and instructing multinational equipment vendors to provide source code that includes confidential techno-commercial information to provide radio equipment such as RAN, and submit ̵

A group of BSNL staff Sanchar Nigam Executions Association (SNEA) said the recovery of the state-owned service provider has been delayed mainly due to the non-launch of 4G services.

Of the four operating zones, telecommunications was also considering to restrict homegrown vendors in the eastern zone for field trials, and wanted to go the shorter route to 4G by registering multinational vendors to also save capital costs.

“The new tender for 4G equipment can be considered separately, without requiring modernization. As the local core is ready, the equipment can be transferred to it, in full compliance with state policy,” a group of employees said in a letter dated March 19 to the Prime Minister’s Office. .

BSNL, which is attracting consumers due to relocation with a view to deploying a commercial 4G network and losing subscribers to private players, now wanted to accelerate network upgrades, preferring proven or proven 4G technology supplied by Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung. .

Chinese ZTE is also one of the two state-controlled telecommunications partners, supporting almost 40% of the 2G and 3G networks. While ZTE has expressed interest in BSNL’s tender, the Chinese vendor is unlikely to be allowed to gain new business.

Meanwhile, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which has formed a consortium that includes Bengal-based Tejas Networks and C-DoT, plans to showcase 4G technology at its Gurugram facility later this week and has invited DoT and BSNL officials. reported another person.

Earlier, the department recommended using the main Indian network and other radio elements manufactured and purchased locally to deploy a data network in the public communications network. C-DoT, PertSol and U.S. Mavenir claim they can provide a 4G core for the future BSNL 4G network. However, BSNL has expressed concerns about the maturity of local core 4G technology and Mavenir’s international roots.

In January this year, BSNL was forced to put out a fresh tender for the purchase of 4G equipment after statements by domestic sellers about restrictive conditions.

In May last year, the government launched an ambitious campaign, Atmanirbhar Bharat (Independent India), aimed at reducing import dependence following disruptions in global supply chains due to floors caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and urging domestic companies to come to the fore.

In October 2019, the Cabinet approved a revival package of Rs 70,000 for two financial companies BSNL and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), which contained 4G spectrum allocation, asset monetization and a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). Koliasa