The board of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has recommended the deployment of 100,000 network sites for the 4G commercial service launch. To this end, the board endorsed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)-led consortium to deploy 100,000 sites, adding that the operator would put forth its views to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) soon. DoT, in turn, would seek clearance from the Group of Ministers (GoM) likely by early March 2023 to further issue a purchase order (PO).
TCS, a part of Tata group, will supply 4G equipment for 100,000 sites for a total sum of Rs 245.56 billion that includes network gear cost of about Rs 130 billion, as well as third-party items and a 10-year annual maintenance contract (AMC). Besides, in the Union Budget 2023-24, the government allocated Rs 529.37 billion to BSNL, which principally includes the installation of new towers and technology upgradation to 4G and 5G. The operator expects a 20 per cent increase in revenue after a full-fledged commercial launch of next-generation services in 2023-24.
