India is reportedly considering allowing foreign vendors to bid on a $2 billion telecom gear contract for upgrading Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) network to 5G. This move comes as the government recognises the need to expedite the country’s 5G mobile broadband rollout to enhance market competitiveness. BSNL is expected to invite fresh bids for 70,000 to 100,000 5G sites for its nationwide 5G- standalone (SA) rollout.
Currently, equipment supplies for BSNL’s ongoing 4G rollout have been entirely handled by a domestic consortium led by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The TCS-led consortium which includes Tejas Networks and state-owned Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) has been implementing BSNL’s ongoing 4G network rollout.
The government has received feedback that BSNL’s 4G radio network gear is not fully competitive with those supplied by global vendors to private telecom carriers. Accordingly, the government is considering whether foreign vendor participation could expedite the rollout of a world-class, pan-India 5G-SA network for BSNL, potentially boosting competition and enabling local network vendors to expedite product development cycles, ultimately benefiting BSNL.
However, a final decision is yet to be taken.
