State-run telecom operator is set to enter the 4G market in 14 telecom circles utilizing its 20 MHz liberalized broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum or 2,500 MHz band.
BSNL will be trying to pip Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone and Reliance Jio Infocomm, who have already entered the the competitive market.
BSNL had already soft launched 4G services in Chandigarh, showing off their 35 Mbps internet.
Currently BSNL is exploring two options of revenue sharing model and Capex model for launching 4G services in these areas. BSNL will be installing 4G base tower stations (BTS) in the existing GSM sites, which means there will be no additional expenditure on towers. And, using the BWA spectrum which BSNL already has will avoid licensing hurdles.
BSNL may be extending passive infrastructure and its BWA spectrum, while telecom network infrastructure like BTS will be arranged by the network vendor or franchisee.
“This model is best suited as BSNL will not incur expenditure and much of the investment required will be borne by the vendor. This can be initiated in all 14 service areas. 4G customers will be owned by BSNL and billing will be done by BSNL,” the official said.
