BSNL to Roll Out 4G Services by November; to 5G by August 2023 2372p Technology News

BSNL plans to roll out almost 1.25 lakh 4G mobile sites in 18 months, said Chairman and Managing Director PK Purwar at India Mobile Congress. 2e3e1x

By Press Trust of India | Updated: 3 October 2022 18:21 IST

BSNL to Roll Out 4G Services by November; to 5G by August 2023

BSNL is in discussion with TCS and C-DOT-led consortium to deploy indigenously developed 4G technology 51c3l

Highlights

BSNL's 4G network gears will be upgradable to 5G through software updates
BSNL to deploy 5G as per the government's deadline of August 15, 2023
India has one of the lowest average revenue per

ment

State-owned telecom firm BSNL will start rolling out 4G network from November onwards and gradually upgrade it to 5G by August next year, a top company official said on Monday.

The company has plans to roll out almost 1.25 lakh BSNL Chairman and Managing Director PK Purwar told PTI at India Mobile Congress.

"The first roll out (of planned 4G network) should take place in November," Purwar said.

The company is in discussion with IT major C-DOT-led consortium to deploy indigenously developed 4G technology in the network.

Purwar said the 4G network gears that the company is purchasing will be upgradable to 5G through software updates.

When asked about the timeline of BSNL's plans to roll out 5G services, Purwar said the company is on its path to deploy 5G as per the deadline of August 15, 2023, set by Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

"The minister has given us a clear path that the August 15, 2023, should be the date when BSNL should be in the 5G domain. We are working in that direction which we have received. We should be able to meet it (the target timeline)," Purwar said.

Talking about revenue dynamics, all telecom operators should look at digital inclusiveness and connect the unconnected with digital technologies.

"There should be an investment in the network for everyone to get good service and roll out should be faster. Unless operators have enough resources they will not be able to make the investment in the network. Unless investment is not made in network technology, many people will be left out from taking advantage of newer technologies," Purwar said.

He also said that India has one of the lowest average revenue per (ARPU) and there is a need to look at if it is sustainable.

"Telecom operators are well placed to derive revenue from other sources as well but we have to also look at the fact that India has the lowest ARPU in the world. Can we sustain this level of ARPU and derive the new investment? we need to balance out these things," Purwar noted.

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