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Tag: BSNL

  • Starlink Gains Final Nod for Satellite Internet Launch in India: A New Era of Connectivity Awaits!

    Starlink Gains Final Nod for Satellite Internet Launch in India: A New Era of Connectivity Awaits!

    Starlink, the satellite broadband arm of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has garnered final regulatory approval to operate commercially in India, marking a pivotal moment for satellite-enabled connectivity in the nation. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has issued Starlink a five-year license, effective until July 7, 2030, granting the company the go-ahead to deploy its Gen1 satellite constellation across India.

    Joining the Ranks of Elite Providers

    This license positions Starlink alongside Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio, making it one of the select operators authorized to deliver satellite-based internet services in the country. Such advancements are crucial to advancing India’s burgeoning space-tech landscape and enhancing its digital connectivity framework.

    Moving from Approval to Action

    However, approval is merely the first chapter. Starlink must lay significant groundwork before launching its services. The company faces several essential steps, including the establishment of local ground infrastructure, securing spectrum allocation from the Indian government, and proving its compliance with IN-SPACe’s security protocols through rigorous trials and testing. Insiders suggest that the commercial rollout could commence by the end of this year or early 2026, contingent on the speed of deployment and necessary approvals. It’s a race — but don’t forget to pack your patience!

    Innovative Connectivity through Satellite Technology

    Starlink sets itself apart from traditional fiber-based internet service providers (ISPs) by utilizing a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. This innovative approach enables high-speed internet delivery without the need for extensive terrestrial infrastructure. The result? Unmatched coverage, even in India’s most remote and challenging terrains, presenting a formidable competitor to conventional broadband providers.

    Strategic Partnerships to Boost Market Entry

    In anticipation of its Indian market launch, Starlink is reportedly collaborating with Reliance Jio for distribution and installation services. As part of this arrangement, Jio will sell Starlink hardware through its retail outlets while facilitating deployment and activation. Additionally, discussions are underway between Bharti Airtel and SpaceX to explore potential collaborations aimed at enhancing satellite connectivity in India’s underserved regions.

    Local Players Join the Satellite Race

    As Starlink prepares to make waves, India’s satellite internet sector is also witnessing increased momentum from homegrown players. State-owned BSNL is advancing its ambitious ‘Direct-to-Device’ initiative, which seeks to harmonize satellite and terrestrial mobile networks. This initiative gained attention during a recent demonstration where BSNL successfully transmitted a message from a commercial Android phone to a Viasat satellite orbiting 36,000 kilometers above the Earth, showcasing the compelling potential for hybrid satellite-mobile connectivity in underserved areas.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of Starlink’s approval to operate in India?
    Starlink’s approval signifies a crucial step for satellite-based internet services in India, offering a modern alternative to traditional broadband, particularly in underserved areas.

    What must Starlink accomplish before it can launch services in India?
    Before launching, Starlink needs to establish local ground infrastructure, secure spectrum allocation, and demonstrate compliance with security protocols through trials and testing.

    How is Starlink partnering with local companies in India?
    Starlink is forming partnerships with Reliance Jio for distribution and installation, and is also in discussions with Bharti Airtel to enhance satellite connectivity, reflecting a collaborative approach to market entry.

  • BSNL Set to Expand with 100,000 New 4G Towers, Paving the Way for Upcoming 5G Rollout!

    BSNL Set to Expand with 100,000 New 4G Towers, Paving the Way for Upcoming 5G Rollout!

    Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is gearing up to bolster its network with plans to deploy an additional 100,000 4G towers across India. This initiative follows the successful installation of nearly 100,000 towers, marking a significant step in their ongoing infrastructure expansion.

    Government Approval on the Horizon

    Union Minister of State for Communications, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, expressed optimism about the upcoming proposal: “After successfully installing 100,000 towers with optimal 4G equipment, we will approach the Cabinet and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve another 100,000 towers.” He also highlighted the plan to enhance BSNL’s cash flow, which would facilitate the installation of more 4G and 5G equipment and enable the monetization of BSNL’s assets.

    Strategic Partnerships for Growth

    BSNL’s ambitious journey took a significant turn in May 2023, when it awarded a major contract to a consortium led by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). This partnership also includes Tejas Networks, the Center for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and ITI Ltd., covering the supply of 4G equipment for the new 100,000 towers, along with necessary network components and a 10-year maintenance contract.

    Pemmasani acknowledged initial equipment challenges but noted substantial improvements: “There were some problems with the equipment in the beginning. But now, it’s functioning well. We expect it to operate near perfection by the end of July or August next year.” He also emphasized the technological lead enjoyed by global telecom firms like Nokia and Ericsson, whose legacy spans decades, compared to India’s homegrown solutions that are still in their infancy.

    Stiff Competition and Future Plans

    BSNL currently faces tough competition; with its limited 4G infrastructure, retaining customers has been a challenge. Pemmasani pointed out, “One major limitation is that we currently have only 100,000 4G towers. In comparison, Reliance Jio and Airtel each have more than 500,000 towers.” However, he is confident that as the 4G rollout progresses, customer retention will improve significantly.

    Looking ahead, BSNL plans to launch its 5G network by June 2025. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that the transition to 5G will only occur once the 4G network stabilizes and meets quality standards: “Once the 100,000 towers are up and the network is stabilized, and once we see that the QoS is up to the mark, then we can start switching.”

    Homegrown Technology Takes the Lead

    In a bold move, the Indian government has ruled out foreign involvement in BSNL’s 5G deployment, insisting on the use of domestically developed technology. BSNL aims to roll out 5G standalone services using the 900 MHz and 3.3 GHz spectrum bands, starting with an initial target of 100,000 subscribers. The company is also set to introduce 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) services, ensuring cutting-edge connectivity for urban users.

    In a nod to its readiness, BSNL has successfully tested its indigenous 5G technology in New Delhi, across locations like Nehru Place, Chanakyapuri, and Minto Road, signaling that they’re primed to push forward once their 4G foundation is firmly in place. Who knew the race for digital dominance could feel so thrilling?

    Questions & Answers

    What is BSNL’s plan for expanding its 4G network?
    BSNL intends to deploy an additional 100,000 4G towers across India, building on its existing infrastructure to enhance customer retention and prepare for 5G.

    When does BSNL expect to launch its 5G network?
    BSNL aims to launch its 5G services around June 2025, contingent on stabilizing its 4G network.

    What is unique about BSNL’s approach to 5G technology?
    BSNL will rely solely on domestically developed technology for its 5G deployment, ensuring that all equipment and services are homegrown.

  • 211 operators globally investing in 5G

    211 operators globally investing in 5G

    At least 211 operators across 87 countries are investing in 5G, according to statistics compiled by consultancy company Hadden Telecoms.

    Operators investing in 5G are at a variety of stages, ranging from network deployments, to technology testing, demonstrations and pilot trials.

    To date, 15 operators have commercially launched 5G services, including Telstra and Optus in Australia, which are offering fixed wireless 5G services on the 3.6-GHz band. Vodafone Australia and the market’s national broadband network operator NBN Co are also investing in 5G.

    South Korea’s KT, LG U+ and SK Telecom meanwhile switched on their 3.5-GHz 5G networks last year, initially for enterprise customers only, and are planning to simultaneously launch commercial services for consumers shortly.

    The list of operators investing in 5G in Asia Pacific also includes China’s big three operators China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom, Hong Kong’s 3 Hong Kong, China Mobile Hong Kong, HKT and SmarTone, and India’s Bharti Airtel, BSNL and Reliance Jio Infocomm.

    In Japan, KDDI, NTT Docomo, Rakuten Mobile and Softbank are spending heavily on 5G, while Malaysia’s Celcom, DiGi, Maxis, Telekom Malaysia and U Mobile and the Philippines’ Globe and PLDT are also trialing the technology.

    Singapore’s M1, Singtel and StarHub, Sri Lanka’s Dialog Axiata and Mobitel, Taiwan’s APT, Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone and Taiwan Mobile, Thailand’s AIS, Dtac, TOT and TrueMove and Vietnam’s Viettel are also at various stages of 5G development.

    “Operators globally are preparing for the large-scale introduction of 5G, the first services have launched, and the devices ecosystem is rapidly building and poised for the imminent scale availability of a range of smartphone models,” Hadden Telecoms director Alan Hadden said.

    “Dozens more operators are expected to launch their respective 5G services in the coming 12 months.”

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  • BSNL to offer carrier billing for Amazon Prime

    BSNL to offer carrier billing for Amazon Prime

    Mobile technology company Fortumo is providing its Trident Bundling Platform for India’s BSNL to help the state-owned operator distribute Amazon consumer services in the market.

    With the integration, BSNL is offering subscribers one years’ subscription to the Amazon Prime shopping and entertainment platform on certain of its plans.

    The Trident Bundling Platform is designed to allow operators to establish and expand partnerships with OTT service providers by allowing the delivery of digital products packaged with mobile services to support carrier billing.

    OTT companies need only integrate with the platform once, and can then establish multiple bundle partnerships across a variety of potential commercial scenarios.

    Fortumo VP of global business development Andrea Boetti said such operator partnerships are ideal for markets such as India, where smartphone penetration in the country is above 35% but only 3% of the adult population owns a credit card.

    “Interest towards VOD services is today growing the fastest in South-East Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Local telecommunication companies and their marketing capabilities offer the best way for VOD providers to engage this audience,” he said.

    “Fortumo’s Trident supports VOD providers in getting these new users on board as quickly as possible.”

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  • BSNL, Nokia to collaborate on public safety networking

    BSNL, Nokia to collaborate on public safety networking

    Nokia and Indian state-owned operator BSNL are expanding their relationship with an agreement to jointly explore opportunities in the public safety sector.

    Under the agreement, Nokia will become BSNL’s OEM technology partner for public safety projects in support of the government’s efforts to advance public safety standards in the country.

    The two companies will explore developing solutions for first responders based on Nokia‘s ViTrust line of critical communications products.

    This will include the Nokia Ultra Compact Network, a portable solution designed to allow the deployment of a mission critical LTE mobile broadband network within minutes of arrival.

    The companies will explore opportunities in industry segments including smart cities, border enforcement, and mines and quarries in remote areas, and will work with India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to augment public safety communications systems with LTE technology.

    “As a trusted telecom service provider, BSNL is committed to providing the best technology solutions for public safety professionals,” BSNL chairman and managing director Anuam Srivasta said.

    “Our technology partnership with Nokia is a crucial step in this direction. We have a longstanding working relationship with Nokia, and this project starts a new chapter in our journey. Nokia’s innovation and leadership in mission-critical communications will allow us to deliver a best-in-class public safety network.”

    Last week the two companies announced another collaboration aimed at using LTE technology to improve operational efficiency at Nokia’s Chennai manufacturing plant.

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  • BSNL helping to transform Nokia’s Chennai factory

    BSNL helping to transform Nokia’s Chennai factory

    Nokia and Indian state owned operator BSNL have announced a collaboration to use LTE technology to improve operational efficiency at Nokia’s Chennai manufacturing plant.

    The project, which the companies are billing as India’s first real world application of the Industry 4.0 concept, will see Nokia’s Chennai factory adopt advanced technologies to enhance operations and increase productivity.

    These technologies will include augmented and virtual reality, connected robotics, AI, big data analytics and IoT capability.

    Nokia deployed the LTE network using its Micro Core Network and Multi-access Edge Computing platform.

    Nokia and BSNL aim to use the project to demonstrate the ability to leverage automation across industries, and how the experience can be replicated in sectors such as oil and gas, mining, public safety and disaster management.

    BSNL has undertaken several initiatives to ensure India keeps pace with 5G evolution globally. Nokia is already one of our key partners in developing the 5G ecosystem, and now we are exploring use cases such as Industry 4.0 that can benefit tremendously with 5G,” BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Srivastava said.

    “This network deployment for Industry 4.0 at Nokia’s Chennai factory that can be scaled to 5G demonstrates our preparedness to take advantage of new opportunities that will emerge with 5G and IoT in India.”

  • India’s BSNL seeks 700-MHz spectrum

    India’s BSNL seeks 700-MHz spectrum

    Indian state-owned operator BSNL has approached the nation’s telecoms ministry seeking a portion of the 700-MHz spectrum that was left unsold during the recent major spectrum auction.

    The operator has proposed that a 5 MHz block in the 700-MHz band be assigned to the operator through an equity route.

    Under the proposal, in lieu of payment, the government’s paid-up equity in BSNL would increase by the value of the spectrum.

    BSNL officials told the news agency that the 700-MHz band, when combined with the company’s existing 2500-MHz holdings, would put the operator in a position to roll out 4G services across India.

    With India’s telecom market transitioning towards 4G, this would allow BSNL to compete against private sector incumbents as well as newcomer Reliance Jio Infocomm.

    The 700-MHz spectrum put up for sale during India’s recent $9.8 billion spectrum auction went completely unsold – despite the attractiveness of the band for mobile operators – due to a high reserve price. Operators had already accrued substantial debts during previous auctions, and shied away from both the 700-MHz and 900-MHz bands.

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