According to local news, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), an Indian state-run operator, is now testing its in-house designed 5G technology.
The Center for Development of Telecommunications (C-DoT) and BSNL are doing the testing. The reports also state that C-DoT is supplying the network core for BSNL’s 4G network.
After competitor operator Reliance Jio Infocomm, BSNL will be the second business to offer 5G services using an indigenous network core.
In a succinct statement, BSNL stated that Nehru Place, Chanakyapuri, and Minto Road in New Delhi, the capital of India, were the three locations where it began testing its in-house 5G technology.
Reports emphasized After concluding trials over the entirety of India, BSNL is scheduled to roll out its 4G services in October.
Local press reports say that state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), an Indian company, is now testing its own 5G technology.
The testing is being conducted by BSNL and the Center for Development of Telecommunications (C-DoT). Additionally, according to the allegations, C-DoT is providing BSNL’s 4G network with its network core.
Using an indigenous network core, BSNL would be the second company to provide 5G services after rival operator Reliance Jio Infocomm.
In a brief statement, BSNL mentioned that it started testing its in-house 5G technology in three places in New Delhi, the Indian capital: Nehru Place, Chanakyapuri, and Minto Road.
In May 2023, the Indian conglomerate Tata Group led consortium obtained an order from BSNL to deploy 4G sites across the country. Tejas Networks and the government-backed C-DoT provided the technology and equipment needed for the installation.
According to earlier news reports, BSNL is aiming to achieve a 20% market share of the nation’s total mobile market by the end of 2024 by quickening the rollout of its 4G network. However, the government has now established a revised objective of 25% of the market by the same date.
Because there isn’t widespread 4G service, competitor telcos Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel have gained market share from BSNL over the past few years. In the most recent fiscal year, BSNL lost 18 million users, leaving it with 88.06 million. By April 2024, BSNL’s market share had dropped to 7.46% as well.
The Indian government had earlier said that it will establish a project management unit (PMU) for BSNL, which would allow for daily monitoring of the carrier’s current 4G development.
Along with Tejas Networks, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and the government’s Center for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the PMU would be established. BSNL is already developing its 4G network utilizing domestic technology in collaboration with C-DOT.
According to earlier reports, BSNL plans to introduce 5G services six to eight months after the March 2025 target for the pan-India 4G deployment is met.
“March 2025 is our internal deadline for a full-fledged 4G network availability in the country. We aim to have 5G switched on within six to eight months. The existing 4G sites will be upgraded to 5G with minor card replacement and a software upgrade,” a BSNL official had said.
