Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is testing 5G as you read this. The state-run telecom operator has been tasked with rolling out 4G in 1 lakh sites by the end of the current financial year. Indian government wants BSNL to turn into a profitable company as soon as possible. 5G is a natural leap for any company that is rolling out 4G. Since BSNL's 4G rollout has been delayed by several years, the government wants to ensure that no major delays happen with 5G.
Read More - BSNL Live TV App Now Available for Android TVs
Thus, BSNL is testing 5G already. The testing is being conducted by BSNL and the Centre for Development of Telecommunications (C-DoT). C-DoT is the one that is providing the network core for 4G as well. The same core can be used for both 4G and 5G. It would just require minimal upgrades. That is what BSNL and C-DoT are testing. It will be interesting if we get to see any demonstration of 5G from BSNL during the IMC (India Mobile Congress) 2024.
Read More - BSNL Launches 4G in Ulloor in Udipi
BSNL would be the second company after Jio to use an indigenous network core for providing 5G to users. This will be a huge leap for India, as the same core can be exported to other countries looking to roll out 4G and 5G at an effectively lower cost compared to what it would be if the network gear and core were purchased from major vendors such as Nokia, Ericsson and more.
Some officials have suggested that BSNL will launch 5G in early 2025. It would be a good development for the company, but the commercially successful network in India will be 4G in the short-term. While a slow-paced 5G rollout wouldn't do any harm, the focus should be on the 4G for BSNL. That is where the money and mass customer base for the telco is.
