Network OperatorsBSNL to kickstart 4G LTE services in January

BSNL to kickstart 4G LTE services in January

BSNL has been lagging behind competitors like Reliance Jio and Airtel in one key aspect for years, but this may not be the case come January. The state-owned telecom operator is all set to launch its 4G services that month.

We’ve heard rumors about BSNL launching its 4G coverage before, but this time it might actually happen. The brand’s Chairman Anupam Shrivastava told Gizbot that it was planning a 2-pronged strategy for the unveiling. One is already in motion namely distributing 4G speeds through Wi-Fi connections.

BSNL has so far installed 15000 Wi-Fi hotspots for this purpose. It plans to expand to 100000 locations over the course of the next 2 years. The other plan is to go through the traditional route of LTE (Long-Term Evolution) which is set to kick off in January.

BSNL Stock Image

Shrivastava says that Nokia and ZTE are going to handle the setting up of 4G equipment. These preparations will begin by the end of December starting from the West and South Zone, before making its way to the North and East Zone.

As for where exactly BSNL’s 4G LTE services are going to appear first, a Deccan Chronicle report from November claims that Chennai will have that particular honor. The brand recently partnered up with Micromax to launch an affordable 4G feature phone called the Bharat 1. It’s now talking to Lava for a similar deal.

Also See: BSNL’s Rakhi Pe Saugaat plan offers 1GB data, unlimited calls at Rs 74

Looking even further into the future, BSNL is about to sign an MOU with Ericsson to work on 5G and IoT technology in India. Given how long it’s taken to roll out its 4G services, don’t expect anything to happen anytime soon.

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