The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has reportedly decided to allocate spectrum worth Rs 620 billion to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for rolling out its 5G services by August 2023. The telco is scheduled to start 4G services in select cities in January 2023 and the network expansion for 4G and 5G will happen simultaneously.
As per sources, a committee of DoT has approved a proposal to give a 10 MHz block in the premium 700 MHz spectrum band worth about Rs 400 billion along with 70 MHz in the mid-band worth about Rs 220 billion to BSNL for 5G. The proposal will now be discussed by the digital communications commission (DCC), after which the cabinet will have to give the final approval.
BSNL is also making preparations to come out with a bond issue next week to raise around Rs 85 billion. As per officials, the telco plans the sale of 10-year government-guaranteed bonds.
