NEW DELHI: State-run telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited ( BSNL ) is reportedly in discussions with Vodafone Idea (‘Vi’) for Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) pacts. Vodafone Idea, in turn, has demanded about 10,000 kilometers of fibre connectivity.The two telco are initially looking at ICR arrangements in two circles, including Rajasthan. Plans are also in pipeline for a nation-wide pact on ICR arrangements, BusinessLine reported citing sources familiar with the development.The discussions are being led by BSNL CMD PK Purwar.There seems to be some progress on the 4G services rollout as well, as the Empowered Technology Group (ETG), led by Principal Scientific Advisor K VijayRaghavan, is expected to discuss BSNL’s plans to roll out 4G services, including the tender.ETTelecom had reported that BSNL may soon submit details about its upcoming 4G tender to the empowered technology group (ETG).The ETG was set up to advise the government on its technology supplier and procurement strategy, to encourage both state and central government, to develop in-house expertise in policy and use aspects of emerging technologies and develop an indigenization roadmap for selected key technologies etc.Sources close to the publication have also told that Purwar will seek a proof of concept of 4G services viability during the meeting.The ETG was earlier slated to meet either on November 20 and November 23, the report said.For the state-run telco’s upcoming tender for over 50,000 4G sites, an internal committee of the DoT had recommended that BSNL divert its focus and spending away from 2G and 3G, and use domestic gear vendors for deploying 4G-only radio and core network.The loss-making telco, which has struggled to keep pace with private operators, has opposed the suggestions, saying it still gets 60% of its revenue from 2G and using only local vendors – whose products are untested – will hamper the quality of services.BSNL, as a part of phase - IX network expansion, wanted to upgrade as many as 49,300 sites to 4G and the addition of 7,000 new sites in two metropolitans- Delhi and Mumbai for Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited ( MTNL ).

Source: Economic Times November 20, 2020 12:05 UTC