TCS to get a $2-Bn deal from BSNL for 4G and 5G roll-out

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is set to win a $2 billion deal from Bharat Sanchar Nigam to roll out its 4G and 5G services across the country. As part of the deal, TCS will develop 4G core and Radio Access Network technology for BSNL’s telecom services.

It is also reported that the Tata group’s recently acquired subsidiaries Tejas Network and Saankhya Labs would also participate in producing necessary equipment as per the deal. The country’s largest IT firm would be the first domestic company to provide these solutions on a large scale.

BSNL plans to upgrade the equipment set up by TCS for the 5G roll-out with necessary software modifications. A company official said, “A proof of concept (POC) is being completed. I believe we are done with almost 95 percent of the procedure. I think we should come with an official announcement in a couple of months.”

The official further said, “TCS is already collaborating with the Centre for Development of Telematics (CDoT) to develop the core. Tata Sons has recently acquired Tejas Networks and Saankhya Labs. So they might use the capacity of these companies to develop other equipment for BSNL’s 4G network.” Recently, it was reported that BSNL is planning to roll out the 4G network from November and will gradually upgrade it to 5G by August next year.