HFCL Limited has secured a purchase order worth Rs 1.41 billion from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) out of the advance purchase order worth Rs 1.79 billion issued to the company. The purchase order includes capital expenditure (capex) of Rs 1.19 billion and annual maintenance contract (AMC) Rs 220 million. The balance order of Rs 380 million is expected to be released on completion of supply against the current purchase order. This significant win solidifies HFCL’s position as a leader in indigenous 4G and 5G backhauling solutions.
Under this order, HFCL will provide product and services to BSNL crucial for supporting 4G and 5G network requirements. The scope under this order encompasses, initial planning, on-site surveys, supply installation, testing, commissioning, operations, and annual maintenance of microwave links. This network integration will be complemented by cutting-edge 5GHz unlicenced band packet radio systems, along with antennas, cables, and other key accessories. The radio is completely indigenously designed and manufactured with HFCL having intellectual property rights (IPR). This technology development is another important milestone for making India self-reliant in telecom sector.
This end-to-end solution is designed for easy installation, effortless management, high reliability and has advanced security features to protect from external threat vectors. Furthermore, this strategic investment will enable BSNL to build their 5G-ready network infrastructure, ensuring cost efficiency by minimising equipment expenses and eliminating hefty spectrum usage charges.
HFCL’s unlicenced band radios (UBR) leverage advanced multiple input multiple output (MIMO) and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) technologies, offering a substantial bandwidth capacity. This technology enables the integration of 5G advanced features such as high-speed, high bandwidth, low latency, and enhanced reliability in wireless communications. These capabilities are crucial for meeting the demands of future networks, characterised by massive scale and diverse requirements. Furthermore, HFCL’s AI-powered unified cloud network management system (UcNMS) is designed to control, monitor, and manage access points, switches and UBR devices. This also facilitates network management and application control, allowing telcos and enterprises to seamlessly integrate and adapt to the customers’ needs.
HFCL’s technological prowess, exemplified in fully matured products such as UBR, has positioned it as a leader in the domain, having supplied more than 3.5 lakh units to its existing customers in India and global markets. This new win helps the company establish itself as the first Made in India 4G and 5G UBR backhauling equipment manufacturer, delivering high-performance, flexible and cost-effective solutions, showcasing its commitment to innovation and excellence in the telecommunications industry.
Covering the pan-India network of BSNL, this order underscores BSNL’s confidence in HFCL’s capabilities to upgrade its network infrastructure with indigenously designed and manufactured products which are latest in technology. This network upgrade is poised to provide latest technology yet cost-effective backhauling solutions of BSNL’s 4G network and lay the foundation for 5G capabilities.
Commenting on the development, Mahendra Nahata, managing director, HFCL, said, “This significant order cements HFCL’s position as a leader in indigenous 4G and 5G technology solutions. It perfectly embodies the self-reliance or aatmanirbharta vision articulated by the Prime Minister. With a strategic Make in India approach, our cutting-edge 4G and 5G backhauling solution emphasises capturing opportunities in global markets while aligning with the India stack initiative. The deployment of these advanced solutions promises higher data transfer rates, low latency and enhanced reliability and performance.”
