State-owned telecom operator BSNL which is yet to launch its 4G services pan-India (having launched 4G in Kerala), is gearing up for 5G as the telco had signed MoUs with Nokia, ZTE and a Korean firm and is in talks with Japan’s NTT, according to a report by DNA.
For now, BSNL is preparing its 4G launch in pan India except for Delhi and Mumbai by the end of first quarter next fiscal. The reported quoted BSNL Chairman and MD Anupam Shrivastava saying, “The government is likely to infuse Rs 7000 crore in the form of equity while our investment will be around Rs 5500 crore. We expect the approval to come in April.”
BSNL had given contracts to Nokia and ZTE for setting up its 4G networks. The company had also asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for allotment of separate 4G spectrum. The telco had earlier requested government for 5Mhz spectrum in 2100 MHz band for deploying 4G services except in Rajasthan where it will be in 800 MHz.
According to Shrivastava, 5G is expected to come to India by next year. Meanwhile, the company is also setting up WiFi hotspots and is targeting to set up another 100000 WiFi hotspots in one year and is expecting Rs 200-250 crore revenue from this business, reported ET Telecom.
