BSNL 4G-LTE Review (Initial Launch)

I had already shared the update regarding BSNL 4G, which is getting live across the country. I found live BSNL 4G in my locality since beginning of September 2024. 

Now time to test the 4G-LTE network by BSNL. It's completely home-made tech i.e. Indian companies Tejas and TCS made this 4G tech exclusively for BSNL. The SIM cards BSNL is now selling all are 5G-ready - no need to upgrade the SIM when BSNL launches 5G in future. Telecom Minister expects BSNL 4G will go mainstream by middle of 2025. 

BSNL Brings New Logo with the Hope for Better Future

BSNL New Logo (October 2024)

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), the state owned telecommunication company is all set to rise from the almost-ashes. Thanks to present government of India, Union cabinet approved a revival package of Rs 89,047 crore for the 4th telco of the country. BSNL was suffering for continuous losses for last 12 years due to debts, poor infrastructure and several red tapes of bureaucracy. 

While Airtel launched 4G services in 2012, BSNL is right now launching 4G across the country - that's 12 years late!

Vi Targets to Bring 5G in 17 Circles in Next 5 Months

Global telecom firm Vodafone and Aditya Birla Group backed Vi (Vodafone Idea Ltd) is getting ready for 5G launch, as they had recently partnered with Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung for 4G expansion, upgradation and 5G deployment. 

While Airtel and Jio rolled out 5G in October 2022, Vi with its financial struggles is yet to enter 5G space. Though Vi had several trials of 5G with multiple vendors. In February 2023, the Indian government converted debt-ridden Vi’s dues into equity, which made GoI to own 33.5% stake of Vi, as the single largest shareholder. After that some rumors came that BSNL may merge with Vi or BSNL may use Vi's 4G network - however those did not happen, thankfully. 

Vi Awards Next Phase 4G Expansion and 5G Deployment to Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung

Vi, the telecom JV between UK’s Vodafone and India’s Aditya Birla Group and the 3rd private telco of India has chose South Korean Samsung, Finland's Nokia and Sweden's Ericsson for 4G expansion and 5G rollout in certain circles for next 3 years for $3.6 billion. This is probably first time Vi cut deals with Samsung for network equipment, while Nokia and Ericsson being Vi's long term partner. With these deals, Vi is replacing Chinese vendors (Huawei and ZTE) on its networks.

In the deal worth Rs 13,500 crore, Nokia will replace the previous vendor (mostly Huawei) in Chennai/Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh where Vi generated more than 50% of revenue. Apart from these 2 key circles, Nokia will deploy its equipment in Mumbai, Gujarat, Haryana, UP-East, UP-West, West Bengal and Kolkata. It's a big blow to Huawei, and ensures growth for European vendors. Ericsson will deliver equipment 10 circles - Delhi, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Odisha, Maharashtra, Northeast, Assam, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh and Samsung will supply to 3 circles - Karnataka, Punjab and Bihar. 

Indian Operators Making AI-Powered Filters to Take Out Spam

On 25th September, 2024 Airtel announced AI powered solution to curb spam calls and texts over its 4G network. Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bharti Airtel explained in the press conference that 400 data scientists of Airtel worked for last 12 months to develop this two-layered shield. This network driven, AI powered solution uses a proprietary algorithm to identify and classify spam calls and texts very fast - this shield processes 1.5 billion messages and 2.5 billion calls in 2 milliseconds. 

5G - How to Monetize?

Image created by Aria - AI by Opera

Every time, since the beginning of wireless communications and faster internet India stood as a back bencher compared to global standards - either India joined late or could not deliver what was promised. For eg, 3G/HSPA/HSPA+ was first launched in 2001 in Japan by Docomo and Airtel came with 3G in 2011, which took nearly 1.5 year to go mainstream. And it was never affordable at all.

Cut to 2016, country's richest man Mukesh Ambani backed Reliance Industries unleashed Jio to Indians with 4G-LTE. Wireless data became affordable, cluttered out non-serious players from the market and incumbents responded to Jio's move. 

Brookfield backed Altius Becomes Largest Tower Company in India

Canada based Brookfield-lead consortium takes control of ATC India via Data Infrastructure Trust (DIT), an Infrastructure Investment Trust backed by Canada's Brookfield Asset Management alongwith other investors including British Columbia Investment Management Corp (BCI) and GIC Pvt. Ltd (Singapore) for an enterprise value of Rs 18,200 crore ($2.2 billion). It marks Boston based American Tower Corp's exit from India. 

With this buyout Brookfield would get approx. 76,000 towers from ATC India and its tower portfolio goes to 2,57,000 – making it largest tower company of India (also globally, outside China). Just positioned from 1st to 2nd, Bharti Airtel backed Indus Towers have 2,25,910 towers as of June 2024.