BSNL 4G: Vaishnaw Makes First Call, Telco Tells TCS to Remain Compliant

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw became one of the first people to make a call over BSNL 4G trial network, as the telco told TCS to remain compliant with the conditions of the PoC. Vaishnaw also tweeted, "made first call over Indian 4G network of BSNL (Designed and Made in India). PM Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat taking shape", on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/AshwiniVaishnaw/status/1447192011958734848

BSNL 4G Developing Fast

On the day, K Rajaraman, telecom secretary, had initiated an IP video call to the minister. The call also demonstrated data browsing and video streaming on the trial network. On the same day, officials, including BSNL Chairman PK Purwar and C-DoT Executive Director R. Upadhyaya, visited the PoC sites. As such,the telco has asked the TCS-backed consortium to comply with conditions.

Apparently, the consortium had deployd a 20W carrier power equipment instead of 40W as mandated for the 4G PoC. A letter, sent to the consortium on Friday by BSNL, read, "it is requested to deploy the PoC equipment in accordance with the conditions of the expression of interest (EoI)".

The letter further added, "attention of M/s TCS and M/s ITI is hereby drawn to clause no. 9.3.5 of Section-3 Part B of the EoI dated 01.01.2021 wherein it has categorically been specified that the eNode-Bs shall have 40W". Along with this, the telco has asked the consortium to submit the PoC equipment faster for testing.

This July, BSNL had offered a letter of intent to five homegrown bidders that would deploy 4G with Indian core technology. The consortium consisting of TCS, Tejas Networks and C-DoT won the bid; the consortium has also set up trial 4G network for BSNL in Ambala and Chandigarh. However, Tata Group recently bought a 43.35% stake in Tejas for a sum of Rs 1,884 crore. As such, the consortium practically consists of Tata and C-DoT.