New Delhi: State-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Saturday launched the much-awaited 4G services in Amritsar, Punjab in the beta phase. The telecom operator will also issue prepaid SIMs to collect feedback on the quality of its network.
Successful proof of concept (PoC) of Indian 4G stack equipment has been completed at 200 live 4G network sites in Firzospur, Pathankot and Amritsar cities in Punjab. In an important development, BSNL conducted the beta launch of its 4G services in Amritsar on July 15,” BSNL said in an official statement.
BSNL CMD PK Purwar, BSNL Director (CM), Tata Consultancy Services COO N. Ganapathy Subramaniam, C-Dot CEO RK Upadhyay, CGM Punjab and senior officials of the department inaugurated the telco’s 4G network. According to a statement by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), BSNL.
Purwar said that with large-scale deployment of indigenous 4G telecom stack, BSNL will “regain significant market share and regain its former glory”.
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The telco has placed purchase orders with TCS and ITI Ltd for 1 lakh 4G sites across India, BSNL Director (Consumer Mobility) Sandeep Govil said.
“This significant investment paves the way for BSNL to offer world-class services to its customers, at par with its incumbent offerings,” Govil said.
BSNL will deploy these sites in Delhi and Mumbai as well as Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas, remote and rural areas and unconnected areas, the statement said.
In May, BSNL had placed an advance purchase order (APO) worth Rs 15,000 crore with TCS and ITI for 1 lakh 4G sites. ITI will deploy 20% of the total sites.
BSNL expects 20% increase in revenue due to massive availability of 4G services in the country.
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