BSNL is currently waiting for the supplier to fulfill the order for the distribution of 40W radios at 6,000 sites across the country. The longer it takes, the longer it will delay the launch of BSNL's 4G networks.
Synopsis
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will launch 4G networks very soon.
- BSNL is currently waiting for the supplier to fulfill the order for the distribution of 40W radios at 6,000 sites across the country.
- 5G NSA does not require a 5G core.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will launch 4G networks very soon. The state-owned telecommunications company said 4G networks are likely to launch in Pune by the end of the year 2022. This was shared by the official handle of BSNL India (@BSNLCorporate) when a particular user inquired about the status of the BSNL 4G networks reaching Pune, Maharashtra.
It is the same time frame that BSNL is expected to roll out 4G networks in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The state-owned telecommunications company will conduct 4G network trials starting in August in four districts of Kerala and then aim for a statewide rollout by December 2022.
Will all cities / states receive BSNL 4G by the end of the year?
BSNL is currently waiting for the supplier to fulfill the order for the distribution of 40W radios at 6,000 sites across the country. The longer it takes, the longer it will delay the launch of BSNL's 4G networks.
Most likely, BSNL will only be able to roll out 4G in several states and cities across the country by the end of the year. At that point, perhaps some of the private telecom companies would have rolled out 5G networks.
But the good thing is that BSNL has also been working on 5G NSA (not standalone) with the C-DoT (Center for Telematics Development). So there is a chance that BSNL could quickly upgrade 4G sites to 5G NSA.
For the uninitiated, 5G NSA does not require a 5G core. It can be deployed on the 4G core and is less expensive than 5G SA. With 5G NSA, the goal is primarily to offer advanced mobile broadband (eMBB).
For now, as Pune and Kerala are expected to receive BSNL's live 4G networks later this year, it could be the same for other cities and states as well. It is noted that BSNL already supplying and selling its 4G sim cards to offer 4G VoLTE services in few states of the country, but not PAN India.
