According to industry sources, BSNL has extended its 4G trials by two months. This may further delay the commercial rollout of 4G network.
While earlier the trials were expected to conclude by October 31, 2021, the extension will delay it till December 31, 2021.
BSNL expects 4G network rollout within 10 months on successful completion of trails. Following the new extension, the rollout can only be expected by the end of 2022.
BSNL announced the extended timelines post receiving representation from the vendors who are to carry out this trial.
Following BSNL’s EoI in January 2021, TCS-backed consortium that included Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) and Tejas Networks, was shortlisted to supply core and radio equipment for the trial sites in a prelude to telco’s 4G rollout strategy.
However, the vendors recently requested an extension for the completion of proof of concept (PoC). Following this, the PoC timeline has been extended as a one-time measure and no further extension will be granted by the telco.
