Lag in adoption of new technology by BSNL: Rajya Sabha QA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 386
TO BE ANSWERED ON 9th DECEMBER, 2022
LAG IN ADOPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY BY BSNL
386. DR. V SIVADASAN
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the starting dates on which 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G services were respectively launched in the country;
(b) the dates from which 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G services were offered by the BSNL;
(c) whether Government is cognizant of the lag in updating BSNL in terms of the adoption of new technology; and
(d) if so, the steps taken to address the same?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS
(SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)
(a) 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G services were launched in the country in the year 1995, 2009, 2012 and 2022 respectively.
(b) to (d) 2G and 3G services of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are available in the country from October, 2002 and February, 2009 respectively. BSNL is providing 4G services since 23.01.2018 on limited scale.
The Union Cabinet on 23.10.2019 approved allotment of spectrum for 4G services to BSNL through capital infusion. In line with Atma-nirbhar initiative of the Government, BSNL was directed to deploy Indian 4G stack. BSNL floated the Expression of Interest (EOI) on 1st Jan, 2021 for the Proof of Concept (PoC). The PoC has been completed with few pending points. 5G Non Standalone Access (NSA) upgrade has also been kept as a deferred feature in BSNL’s EOI. Thereafter, BSNL has floated the tender in October 2022 for its requirement of 1 lakh 4G sites.
The Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 27.07.2022 has approved a revival package for BSNL/MTNL amounting to Rs. 1.64 lakhs crores. It focusses on infusing fresh capital for upgrading BSNL services, allocating spectrum, de-stressing balance sheet and augmenting its fibre network by merging Bharat Broadband Nigam Limited (BBNL) with BSNL. Further, the Government has reserved spectrum for BSNL for providing 5G services.
Click here to download PDF File
Follow us on Telegram Channel, Twitter and Facebook for all the latest updates
