The Government sanctioned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd’s (BSNL) plan of Rs 26,821 crore order to IT services provider Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for rolling out the state-run Telco’s 4G network.

The telco will soon give the purchase order to TCS for 100,000 sites. Along with setting up the 4G sites, TCS will have to sustain the network for nine years. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said BSNL having 111 million wireless subscribers, aims to launch 4G services by December or January and roll out the network across the country. TCS had planned last month to supply core equipment within 12 months of the purchase order, while radio equipment supply will be completed within 18-24 months. Tejas Networks, an element of Tata Sons and the parent company of TCS, is expected to produce the network equipment for BSNL locally.

After 4G services begin, BSNL aims to launch 5G services by August 2023. The prolonged rollout of 4G and 5G will happen simultaneously. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), a Government-owned telecommunications technology developer, has amalgamated with TCS to develop a core 4G solution and radio equipment. The latest 4G deal comes worth Rs 1.64 lakh crore bailout package for the carrier, including the grant of the spectrum, 4G launch, funding of operations, and capital expenses.

The Government trusts that a successful rollout of BSNL’s 4G network propels India into a desirable club of countries like the United States, Sweden, Finland, South Korea, and China, having developed telecom network technology. IT and Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said India aims to grab leadership in telecom technology.

TCS Chief Operating Officer N Ganapathy Subramaniam said the deal with BSNL allows the IT service provider to take its telecom offerings to potential global clients and contend with network gear makers such as Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung.