China-based telecom gear vendor, ZTE is in talks with state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for establishing a 5G partnership with the operator. Further, BSNL is expected to soon sign a memorandum of understanding with ZTE under the ‘5G and beyond’ programme, as a part of which the latter would provide the most recent technological updates and exchange ideas to BSNL. According to BSNL, the partnership would be non-commercial and based on knowledge sharing with no obligations.

Further, BSNL also expects to soon get the government’s approval for using airwaves in the 700 MHz spectrum band for offering 4G and 5G services in the future. To this end, the operator has already written to the Department of Telecommunications to allocate one out of the six slots of 5 MHz available in the 700 MHz band.

According to BSNL, the 700 MHz, sub-700 MHz and unlicensed bands such as 2.5 GHz and 5.2 GHz would be essential for launching 5G services in rural and dense urban areas as well as for launching internet of things services in India.