BSNL 5G May Come Earlier: Indian Start Ups Plan Trials on BSNL's 700MHz Spectrum

Government backed telecom service provider - BSNL, who, though late, is presently busy with 4G roll out across the country, may bring 5G before the expected date. Home grown Tejas and TCS backed BSNL's 4G network core can be upgraded to 5G easily. 

Airtel started 4G in 2012, and Jio brought it in 2016, but both companies launched 5G commercially in 2022. BSNL is just gearing up for 4G roll out in almost middle of 2024. Considering Airtel's entry in 4G space, BSNL 4G is just 12 years late. But recent tariff hike by Airtel, Jio and Vi made the customers to look into BSNL's plans and many are porting to BSNL, despite having only 3G offering in most places. 

Jio True 5G: Trial Review at Barrackpore

Though India's first spectrum auction for 5G airwaves was conducted in July this year, the telecom service providers - Jio and Airtel did make a hurry to launch 5G, unlike 3G or 4G. 5th generation of telecom services went mainstream in India on October 1st, 2022. That's just 2 months to get 5G live. Well that's fast, and thanks to DoT, all operators got trial spectrum to conduct 5G trials and tests on their 2G/3G/4G networks. Debt ridden telco Vi is yet to announce its 5G debut.