New Delhi In a significant step towards promoting digital connectivity in India, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has successfully deployed more than 50 thousand indigenous 4G sites across the country.
According to the Communications Ministry, 41,000 of the 50,000 sites set up as of October 29 are now operational. Of these, about 36,747 sites were set up under Phase IX.2 of the project and 5,000 sites were set up under the 4G Saturation Project funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi Fund. BSNL aims to set up 1,00,000 4G sites.
The project has been brought up in partnership with a consortium led by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) under the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Under the project, a contract worth Rs 24,500 crore was awarded to provide 4G equipment for 100,000 new telecom towers in May 2023. Tejas Networks, Center for Development of Telematics and ITI are also part of the consortium, which shows the country's ability to meet its connectivity needs with homegrown technology.
BSNL's 4G network has been completely designed, developed and implemented by Indian companies, reflecting the concept of “complete indigenous” innovation. This marks the beginning of a new era for telecom in India. Earlier this month, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had said that BSNL is looking forward to launching its 4G network across the country by setting up 1 lakh sites by June 2025.
He also said that the telecom operator will upgrade them to 5G within a month. BSNL has also completed trials for its 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) and core network under 3.6 GHz and 700 MHz frequency bands. According to the information given by the ministry, BSNL has established 15000 air sites till July this year.
—
– .
Image Credit: KhasKhabar.