Airtel Alleges BSNL 4G Gear Causing Network Interference in Rajasthan; Tejas Denies: Report

Bharti Airtel has alleged that Tejas Networks, a Tata Group company, supplied “sub-standard equipment” that is causing interference in its 900 MHz network in the Rajasthan circle. In a letter dated November 14, Airtel said the issue has been affecting service quality since last December and that repeated technical discussions and joint tests have not led to a resolution, according to a copy reviewed by The Economic Times and reported by Kiran Rathee on November 21, 2025.

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Airtel Flags Persistent Interference in Rajasthan Circle

According to the report, Airtel said in the letter to Tejas that the issue has been affecting its quality of service since last December, and despite repeated technical submissions, discussions, joint tests, directives, etc, no corrective action has been taken.

According to Airtel, the interference originates from design shortcomings in Tejas’ radio equipment and filters deployed for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd’s (BSNL) 4G rollout. India’s second-largest telecom operator said following discussions, it has emerged that the interference is due to technical non-conformance in Tejas’ radio equipment and filter design.

The company said Tejas designed its filter for the 800 MHz band within a frequency range of 864–894 MHz, aligned with certain international standards, while India’s 800 MHz downlink is confined to 869–889 MHz. This mismatch, Airtel claimed, leads to out-of-band emissions spilling into the 900 MHz spectrum used by private operators.

Operator Says Design Flaws in Tejas Filters Are to Blame

Airtel wrote in the letter that it “…seek an immediate action on continuing interference being caused to Airtel’s 900 MHz network in the Rajasthan service area, as a direct consequence of the Tejas-manufactured sub-standard equipment, deployed by BSNL in the 800 MHz band,” according to the report.