State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd will be commencing its 4G services in next financial year which starts in April as quoted by company CMD Anupam Shrivastava in a report by RTN Asia. “BSNL is likely to start 4G services in 2017-18,” said Shrivastava.
However, it is unclear how the company plans to devise a business model for its 4G roll-out. Bharti Airtel started its 4G operations in 2011-12 when it received its 4G spectrum in 2010, the same year when BSNL and Reliance Jio received theirs.
With both Airtel and Jio running their 4G services in the country at present, BSNL is the only telco lagging behind.
BSNL does not want to purchase 4G base stations, it rather plans to hand over its spectrum and facilities to private parties. The parties will be expected to launch 4G services using the telco’s existing equipment, network and spectrum after purchasing required new equipment.
“We are in process of issuing expression of interest for rolling out 4G services on revenue sharing basis and will provide only bandwidth to technology service provider who will manage and operate 4G services,” said Shrivastava.
BSNL had surrendered its 4G spectrum in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kolkata in 2014 after facing cash crunch.
However, it is unclear how the company plans to devise a business model for its 4G roll-out. Bharti Airtel started its 4G operations in 2011-12 when it received its 4G spectrum in 2010, the same year when BSNL and Reliance Jio received theirs.
With both Airtel and Jio running their 4G services in the country at present, BSNL is the only telco lagging behind.
BSNL does not want to purchase 4G base stations, it rather plans to hand over its spectrum and facilities to private parties. The parties will be expected to launch 4G services using the telco’s existing equipment, network and spectrum after purchasing required new equipment.
“We are in process of issuing expression of interest for rolling out 4G services on revenue sharing basis and will provide only bandwidth to technology service provider who will manage and operate 4G services,” said Shrivastava.
BSNL had surrendered its 4G spectrum in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kolkata in 2014 after facing cash crunch.
