BSNL to upgrade its telecom power systems

Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) has awarded a contract worth Rs 94.35 crore to Lineage Power Private to strengthen power and energy storage infrastructure across its telecom network. Under the order, Lineage Power will supply 25,000 lithium-ion battery modules rated at 100 AH/48V, along with 2,500 IP55-rated equipment racks designed for both indoor and outdoor deployment to the state-owned telecom operator. These systems are intended to support BSNL’s telecom sites by improving reliability and resilience in power supply, particularly in geographically diverse and operationally demanding environments.

To meet varying site requirements, the battery modules will be configured into battery banks with capacities ranging from 300 AH to 1,200 AH. The contract includes a comprehensive five-year warranty and a five-year Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC), effectively covering system performance and upkeep over a ten-year period. This long-term arrangement is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted operations and the stable functioning of BSNL’s critical power infrastructure.

A key requirement under the order is that all Battery Management Systems (BMS) supplied must be registered on the government-mandated "Trusted Telecom Portal". The portal forms part of India’s broader security framework for telecom networks, under which all equipment used in critical telecom infrastructure must be sourced from trusted and approved vendors. The initiative was introduced to mitigate risks related to cyber threats, supply chain vulnerabilities and potential foreign interference in sensitive national networks.

As a result of this policy shift, suppliers from countries classified as high-risk—particularly China—have been excluded from India’s telecom ecosystem. This has led to a significant transformation in procurement practices for public sector telecom operators, with increased focus on domestically manufactured or government-approved equipment. Lineage Power’s compliance with these requirements allows BSNL to ensure that the project remains aligned with prevailing national security and telecom safety regulations.

The execution of the order will be carried out in phases over a period of five months, allowing for staged deployment across BSNL sites and ensuring operational continuity during the transition.