5G trials are already ongoing for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). It is already a known fact that BSNL will be rolling out homegrown 5G. This has given the opportunity to local tech makers and suppliers to cement their position in the market. Companies like Galore Networks, VVDN Technologies, Lekha Wireless and WiSig are working with BSNL to test its 5G. The goal of these companies is to reduce the dependence on technology from foreign firms and also reduce the import bills in the long term.
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It is worth noting that Jio already has its own 5G stack. Regardless, there is still help required from foreign companies in India to roll out 5G. According to an ET report, Lekha Wireless is working with BSNL at Minto Road in New Delhi for the testing of 5G. VVDN has deployed 5G in MTNL's Chanakyapuri location. Galore Networks is deploying 5G in three sites for MTNL in Delhi in Shadipur, Karol Bagh, and Rajendra Nagar.
The report said that Galore Networks has partnered with Coral Telecom to connect 5G with the legacy 3G network. The network architecture on which the tests are happening is Open RAN (Radio Access Network) where the core is being supplied by the Indian vendors. These Indian vendors are hopeful and confident about winning commercial deals from BSNL in the future to help with deploying 5G.
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This would also give more options to the other Indian telecom operators who are looking to launch 5G. Some of the officials have already hinted that BSNL will launch 5G in the next year. As of now, the focus would still be on 4G when it comes to BSNL. The state-run telecom operator has the goal of deploying 1 lakh 4G sites by mid-2025.
