The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is currently considering the request from state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) regarding the re-assignment of spectrum holdings in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum bands.
BSNL-MTNL in the recent past has surrendered 58.8 MHz spectrum in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz band across the country in different circles. BSNL is looking to have the existing spectrum reassigned minus the spectrum surrendered to DoT.
BSNL’s license had expired last year in February post which it was operating on an ad-hoc basis. DoT had last year granted BSNL a fresh Unified License (UL) across all 22 circles including the MTNL network of Delhi and Mumbai with 20 years validity. BSNL since then holds a completely liberalised spectrum portfolio on a pan-India basis.
DoT meanwhile has also confirmed that certain quantum of spectrum has been reserved for BSNL/MTNL to provide 4G services. The spectrum will be assigned to BSNL/MTNL after completion of necessary formalities in accordance with Cabinet approval.
OnlyTech had earlier reported that the state-owned telco has been allotted an additional block of 5 MHz in the 2100 MHz band in 20 telecom circles (including Mumbai but excluding Delhi and Rajasthan) along with a 5 MHz block in the 850 MHz band in Rajasthan and a 10 MHz block in the 1800 MHz band in Delhi circle with a 20 years validity up to 2040.
which bands will be used by bsnl for 4G rollout ? i also want to know whether bsnl will have 5Mhz or 10Mhz bandwidth in band 1 ?
As of now they only have 5 MHz Pan India which they are using for 3G. DoT has reserved one more block of 5 MHz in band 1 for them Pan India except for Delhi and Rajasthan where it has reserved 10 MHz in band 3 and 5 MHz in band 5 respectively.
Meaning BSNL may deploy 4G with 5 MHz in B8 to complement its proposed 4G network on B1/B3?
As of now BSNL will have to use the 5 MHz in band 8 for 2G services only, since shifting to 1800 MHz for 2G will cause coverage issues if the number of towers isn’t increased. the fresh 10 MHz that they will get in band 3 will be used for 4G while 3G continues on the existing 5 MHz in band 1.