Domestic telecom gear makers kick off 5G trials for MTNL using BSNL's 700 MHz spectrum

Telecom

Domestic telecom equipment makers such as Tata Consultancy Services, Lekha Wireless, VVDN, and Galore have begun Open-RAN-based 5G trials with state-run MTNL in the Delhi circle using BSNL's 700 MHz spectrum.

As part of a public-private partnership, BSNL (MTNL) invited Indian companies to deploy and showcase their 5G solutions in their live operational network. For these trials, BSNL is providing its spectrum, towers, power supply, and infrastructure support for equipment housing.

RK Bhatnagar, Director General of domestic telecom gear makers' body 'VoICE' said that its other members, Signaltron, WiSiG, BigCat Wireless, Wireless 4 Space (IIT Delhi), ITI, ECIL, and Tidal Wave, are also ready to participate in similar 5G trial runs at multiple locations across the country by Diwali.

VoICE is an industry grouping of indigenous telecom companies, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tejas Networks, Vihan Networks, United Telecoms, Coral Telecom, HFCL, Tidal Wave, and others.

“Indian OEMs will be able to deploy and meet the challenges of real-life mobile network deployment at scale. This will enable them to grow and compete globally and gain instant nationwide and global visibility. The initiative will also make India independent in this critical strategic area,” Bhatnagar said.

The participating companies said that the broader objectives are to reduce equipment import bills, lessen dependence on multinational firms, and provide cost-effective deployment options to BSNL when it commercially launches its 5G network.

Lekha Wireless has deployed a network at Minto Road in Delhi, with support from Niral Network for its core and others to support equipment by BSNL. VVDN has deployed at MTNL's Chanakyapuri location, with participation from BSNL and support from the Centre of Development of Telematics (C-DoT) and WiSiG.

VVDN, in a statement, said their goal is to develop a fully indigenous 5G solution that can be deployed locally and globally, positioning India as a leader in the telecommunications sector.

Galore is deploying three sites at MTNL ’s Delhi locations in Rajendra Nagar, Karol Bagh, and Shadipur. Galore has joined hands with its IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) partner, Coral Telecom, to connect the 5G network to the legacy 3G network to ensure seamless connectivity for BSNL customers.

Galore, in turn, said that the indigenous technology can help reduce import bills and dependence on multinational companies and provide cost-effective Total Cost of Ownership for the operator (BSNL) and affordable 5G connectivity for BSNL customers. “We are commercially ready for deployment with BSNL, Private 5G Network in partnership with BSNL and other Service Providers to meet the requirements of PSUs in Mining, Refinery, Steel Plants and multiple industrial 5G use cases.”

The network architecture is a standalone Open Radio Access Network (OpenRAN), while core equipment is supplied by Indian vendors such as Niral Networks.

Lekha Wireless, in a statement, said that the broader objective of 5G live trials is to gain first-hand experience before launching full-fledged commercial 5G deployment for MTNL and BSNL customers in metro cities. This will provide BSNL with multiple competitive deployment options through domestic technology, who can be support partners. The model will work not only in India but also in global markets.

“We already have experience building and deploying carrier-grade 4G Network in parts of BSNL’s Karnataka Circle using funding from USOF,” Lekha Wireless said.

Bhatnagar said that VoICE members are ready to be support partners of BSNL or even other licensed service providers in implementing 4G and 5G networks across the country, including 5G Captive Non-Public Networks and Intelligent Village Networks.

“VoICE teams can aggressively support the Technology march in the coming weeks. 5G provisioning by Homegrown players with enough competition is possible, and the vision of the government for Indian Global lead starting with 5G and then going forward to 6G is also sure to materialise,” he said.