Sanjay Singh / New Delhi
State-run telecom company, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has entered into an agreement with Japan’s NTT Communications and Softbank to rollout fifth generation (5G) and Internet of Things (IOT) technologies in India, as the telecom sector prepares to build-up an ecosystem around these upcoming technologies.
According to BSNL, its agreement with NTT Communications is aimed at successfully putting in place supporting infrastructure for developing and smoother transaction from 3G, 4G space to 5G and IOT products and related services in India. The agreement will also look at addressing solution for smart cities as well.
The agreement will help NTT Communications for its satellite constellation which will have around 900 satellites to provide high-speed internet services across the globe. BSNL has signed an agreement with Nokia and Cisco as well for developing 5G ecosystem.
The move by the BSNL comes in as its rivals, private telecom companies are still looking at monetising their 4G services and these private telcos are eagerly waiting for BSNL for rolling out its 5G services.
Currently, BSNL is working on finalizing the scale of 5G field trial tests to be carried out and the areas where it has to be done in India. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has agreed to provide 5G spectrum for trials to BSNL and is expected to start it soon.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has already recommended auction of about 8,644 MHz of frequencies in different bands at an estimated base price of Rs 4.9 lakh crore. However, the government is yet to finalise details of allocation of spectrum for 5G services.
The agreement will pave way for next-gen technology in India, says BSNL as India looks at launching its 5G service at the same time as other developed countries. This will help Indian telecom sector stay competitive globally.
While 4G was launched in India four years after developed markets started with it, while 3G in India was launched seven years after the technology was available in other global markets.
However, this time, the Indian government doesn’t want to delay on 5G and intends to launch it in year 2020, when the standards are announced and permitted by International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Geneva based ITU is a member of the United Nations Development Group responsible for issues that concerns information and communication technologies. ITU oversees the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promotes international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, works to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and assists in the development and coordination of worldwide technical standards.