Three Companies Bid to Roll Out BSNL’s 5G SA Network in Delhi
In a significant development for India’s telecom sector, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has received bids from three companies—Tejas Networks, Lekha Wireless, and Galore Network—to roll out its 5G SA (standalone) network in Delhi. The rollout will cover 1,876 sites in the national capital and marks a pivotal step in India’s journey towards leveraging homegrown 5G technology.
Limited Response to BSNL’s 5G Tender
Despite attracting over 29 participants during the pre-bid meeting, only three companies have formally bid for the project. This limited response has been attributed to stringent terms and conditions (T&Cs) outlined in the tender.
Key clauses include:
- Capex and Opex Responsibility: Bidders are required to bear both capital expenditure (capex) and operational expenditure (opex).
- Revenue Sharing Model: Instead of the traditional payment structure as seen in BSNL’s 4G tenders, this 5G tender involves a revenue-sharing agreement. BSNL has set a minimum 70% revenue share for itself, leaving the bidders with a smaller portion of the revenue pie.
This deviation from the conventional approach has made the tender less appealing to many companies.
Tejas Networks Takes the Lead
Among the bidders, Tejas Networks stands out, having already played a crucial role in BSNL’s 4G rollout. The company is providing BSNL with a homegrown 4G stack that can be seamlessly upgraded to 5G. This positions Tejas as a strong contender for the 5G rollout in Delhi.
5G Deployment Details and Investment
To roll out its 5G SA services, BSNL will use the 900 MHz and 3300 MHz bands. The project requires bidders to collectively invest around ₹500 crore in capex to deploy the core network and radio infrastructure.
Initial Rollout Goals:
- Serve 1 lakh subscribers in the first phase.
- Launch 5G FWA (Fixed-Wireless Access) services alongside.
The success of this initiative could set a benchmark for BSNL’s broader 5G deployment strategy across India.
India’s Leap Towards Indigenous 5G Technology
This rollout represents a critical moment for India’s telecom industry. By leveraging homegrown technology to deploy 5G SA networks, BSNL and its partners aim to challenge the dominance of global telecom giants.
If successful, this project could position India as a key player in the global 5G ecosystem, demonstrating the viability of domestic solutions in a market currently led by a few international companies.
Three Companies Bid to Roll Out BSNL’s 5G SA Network in Delhi
