4G Network

Airtel inks multi-billion-dollar deal with Ericsson to extend 4G, 5G contracts; aims to enhance network capacity, coverage, and customer experience amid fierce market competition

The supply of equipment for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL's) 4G rollout began in September last year, and by October-end this year 50,708 4G sites have been installed while 41,957 sites are on-air, Parliament was informed on Thursday. The equipment is 5G upgradable, Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. To a question seeking specific timelines set for BSNL's 4G and 5G rollout across various states and Union Territories, the minister said that in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the state-owned telecom firm has placed a purchase order for indigenously developed 4G sites for pan India deployment. "Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023, and as on October 31, 2024, a total of 50,708 4G sites have been installed and 41,957 sites are on air. The equipment is 5G upgradable," he said. To another question on whether BSNL-appointed Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has recommended strategies for the

Despite 5G's rapid growth, 4G still leads with 54% of subscriptions but will drop sharply from 640 million in 2024 to 240 million by 2030 as 5G adoption accelerates

Both the JioBharat V3 and V4 feature phones come equipped with a suite of Jio services, including JioTV, JioCinema, and UPI with JioPay. These are priced at Rs 1,099 and will be available soon

Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson has bagged four more telecom circles from Vodafone Idea for the deployment of 4G and 5G technology, the company said on Monday. Last month, debt-ridden Vodafone Idea (VIL) had awarded about Rs 30,000 crore telecom network contract to Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung for a period of three years. "Ericsson will upgrade 4G and deploy 5G across the Indian telecom circles it already powers for Vi. In addition, Ericsson will provide 4G and 5G services in the telecom circles of Delhi, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, thereby increasing its footprint and market share with Vi substantially," a company statement said. Under the deal, VIL also replaced its Chinese vendor in Chennai and Andhra with Nokia. Nokia has become the largest supplier to VIL covering circles that generate more than 50 per cent of the debt-ridden telco's revenue.

Marking Vi's first-ever tie-up with Samsung, new deal part of $6.6 bn capex plan

The contracts will address 300,000 new 4G base stations, with Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung supplying about 50 per cent, 45 per cent, and 5 per cent of the equipment, respectively, over three years

20,000 towers being put up and Rs 45,000 crore committed for the purpose, he says

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed confidence in Singapore's fourth generation leadership, lauding the city-state's remarkable progress and touting it as a model for developing nations worldwide. During his talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Modi congratulated the prosperous nation's premier and said, This is our first meeting since you assumed the office as prime minister. My heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you. I am confident that under the leadership of 4G, Singapore will achieve progress even more rapidly. Wong was sworn in as the new prime minister of Singapore in May. The 51-year-old economist-turned-politician succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who relinquished his position after two decades; both belonging to the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) that has been driving Singapore's economic progress for more than five decades. Wong, who was the deputy prime minister, is leading the fourth generation PAP politicians' government as the

The Department of Telecommunications plans to inject this capital to address the shortfall in funds for 4G equipment, which is being deployed through a domestically developed technology stack

Arpu remains stagnant; telco sees 4G subscriber base grow

State-run telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd will roll out 4G and 5G compatible over-the-air (OTA) and Universal SIM (USIM) platform which will enable subscribers to choose their mobile numbers as well as replace SIMs without geographical restrictions. BSNL said that the platform, developed in collaboration with Pyro Holdings, was inaugurated in Chandigarh, with a disaster recovery site in Trichy. "The new 4G and 5G compatible platform is designed to serve all BSNL customers across the country, offering unparalleled connectivity and service quality," BSNL said on Friday. The company is rolling out 4G network gradually across the country. "The introduction of this platform coincides with BSNL's ongoing network upgrades to 4G and 5G, positioning the company at the forefront of telecommunications innovation. This milestone represents a significant step in BSNL's efforts to bridge the digital divide and empower citizens in rural and remote areas, ensuring equitable access to advance

4G sites up in all metro cities & most state capitals, 5G service by early-2025

Union Budget 2024: The increase in basic customs duty on printed circuit board assemblies from 10% to 15% can help create a robust telecom equipment manufacturing ecosystem in India

Testing and reimbursement scheme for startups & MSEs announced

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday said mobile phone penetration in the country stands at 70-80 per cent of citizens and some 120 crore devices are currently in use. The priority now is to increase the scope of the 4G network in the country, Scindia told reporters. For the first time, India has created a 4G stack with indigenous technology and based on it efforts are being made to take the coverage to 100 percent, Scindia added. Scindia, who is also Union minister for Development of North Eastern Region, said he will be tour Assam and Meghalaya from Friday. "We will formulate a strategy for development of the north-east states based on their strengths and capabilities. For this, decisions will be taken after meeting the concerned state governments," he informed. Scindia evaded a direct reply to a query on how the Centre would deal with the ethic strife in Manipur, only saying he would fulfil his responsibility for the development of the north east. "It

From connectivity woes to infrastructure advancements and the startup boom, there is a gulf between claims and reality in India's economic landscape

Latest spectrum won't change sector dynamics, eyes on tariff action, they say

Debt-ridden telecom operator Vodafone Idea bought spectrum worth Rs 3,510 crore to improve 4G network coverage and service, the company said on Wednesday. Besides renewing 900 megahertz spectrum in UP West and West Bengal, the company enhanced its 900 MHz spectrum holding in seven circles, namely Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP East and Kolkata. "VIL has strategically acquired spectrum in the select markets to enhance and strengthen its overall spectrum portfolio. This acquisition will enable us to effectively use dedicated sub GHz spectrum towards advanced technologies to enhance the experience we offer to our customers," VIL CEO Akshaya Moondra said in a statement. VIL has plans to invest up to Rs 55,000 crore over the next three years with focus on expanding and strengthening 4G coverage. During the calendar year 2024, the company has raised around Rs 24,000 crore through equity issue (including proposed preferential issue of Rs 2,458 crore to Nokia

Telecom major Vi plans to invest Rs 50,000-55,000 crore over the next three years to enhance and strengthen its 4G connectivity and rollout 5G networks in key markets