TEMA suggests BSNL immediately procure 4G equipment from open tenders

TEMA compliments the Government of India for support for the domestic procurement of 4G procurement, which is in line with our Hon’ble PM’s mission of Vocal or Local, and Self-Reliant. and suggested to Department of Telecom as under.

TEMA suggests that BSNL immediately procure 4G equipment from open tenders and compulsorily reserve at least 20-30% for domestic companies consortium, who can follow the route of proof of concept, initial deployment etc. That will allow 70-80% of the network to be deployed by BSNL immediately for 4G.

TEMA appreciates domestic manufacturing. At the same time, TEMA feels it is our duty to ensure that BSNL‘s interest are not compromised. BSNL is the lifeline of India and is of strategic interest for national security matters. The Government is committed for the revival of BSNL, MTNL, etc., and has recently sanctioned the revival package, which includes 4G spectrum. TEMA is keen that BSNL implements 4G in the fastest mode.

Domestic companies are putting the consortium of domestic manufacturers to stitch together 4G equipments. C-DOT, ITI, and several local R&D firms are playing a critical role in the consortium to achieve their goal of manufacturing and supplying 4G equipment.

TEMA feels that the proposed plan of Government to ask the domestic consortium for proof of concept, followed by one circle deployment, and then full-scale implementation, may delay implementation of 4G by BSNL for at least one or two years. That may not be in the interest of BSNL! All the domestic manufacturers depend on BSNL/MTNL for supplies. Hence, we need to consider an approach, where, BSNL implements 4G fast, and we also promote domestic manufacturing.

DoT, for many years, had a policy to give trial/educational orders to new domestic manufacturers. That is how, India today is fully self-sufficient in manufacturing of optical fibre cables and other telecom cables, and some other telecom products.

TEMA also requests that the national security interests may be kept in view, and that domestic capabilities may be utilized even for 70-80% procurement, by way of:

i) Follow appropriate policy of the Government to secure network and avoid procurement from unfriendly border countries.

ii) All the bidders should follow PPP MII for various domestically available products/components as per list announced by DoT, vide its order dated 29.8.2018, and to give 100% telecom orders to PMI-compliant vendors using PMI-compliant equipment, including 4G equipment, cables, GPoNs, Wi-Fi, etc.

iii) While inviting bids from the Indian consortium, care may be taken for the eligibility criteria with regard to past experience, etc.

iv) The Indian vendors should be those who have their global HQs in India, are majority owned by Indians, are PMI complaint, and use Indian-owned technology and software with source code sharing with DoT.

v) Adequate delivery period may please be given to Indian bidders to avoid LD affecting total pricing of the order.

vi) All the bidders should adhere to technical parameters as decided by TEC and other Govt. designated technical bodies.