In a move being hailed as a watershed moment for India’s digital future, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Friday rolled out the Bharat Telecom Stack, an end-to-end indigenous telecom solution developed in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and Tejas Networks.
With this launch, India has become only the fifth country in the world to create its own fully self-reliant telecom technology stack capable of powering 4G and future networks, according to the official press release.
The project is closely tied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and a digitally inclusive nation.
Built in mission mode, delivered in record time
The execution of this nationwide 4G rollout was nothing short of a marathon sprint. TCS led the effort, setting up data centres, installing C-DOT’s EPC Core Application, deploying Tejas Networks’ base stations and radio infrastructure across 100,000 sites, and integrating it all under its AI-driven Cognitive Network Operations (CNOPS) platform for round-the-clock monitoring.
The entire system was completed within just two years, making it one of the fastest 4G deployments globally. It has also been fully integrated into BSNL’s existing 2G/3G infrastructure, a rare feat for projects of this scale.
Why this matters
This is more than just a telecom upgrade. According to the official press release, the indigenous stack will:
- Strengthen India’s national security by reducing dependence on foreign vendors.
- Ensure affordable access to connectivity in both rural and urban areas.
- Power critical services like online education, telemedicine, e-governance, and citizen services.
- Provide a scalable foundation that can smoothly evolve into 5G and beyond.
Voices from the launch
A Robert J Ravi, CMD, BSNL, called the rollout “a monumental achievement for national pride.” He said the stack proves India can build a secure, sovereign digital future while bridging the digital divide.
Sandeep Govil, Director (Consumer Mobility), BSNL, highlighted that customers would now experience a new standard of connectivity, powered by a fully swadeshi 4G network engineered for scalability.
N Ganapathy Subramaniam, Advisor at TCS and Chairman of Tejas Networks, described the project as “historic and significant,” adding that India now joins a select list of countries with a comprehensive, standards-compliant telecom technology stack.
TCS’ long arc in India’s digital story
The project is the latest in TCS’ six-decade journey of shaping India’s technology backbone. From modernising stock exchanges and building citizen-centric digital services to executing large-scale transformation projects for government, TCS has consistently been at the heart of nation-building programmes.
The Bharat Telecom Stack is now set to be another cornerstone in that legacy, one that cements India’s place on the global telecom map.
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