BSNL users looking forward to the launch of 4G services by the operator may end up with a strange dilemma – they may need to buy a 5G handset to use 4G services.
This is because BSNL is using two spectrum bands for launching its 4G services – 2,100 MHz and 700 MHz. While 2,100 MHz is used for 4G services, the 700 MHz band is a 5G band. The government has allocated the 700 MHz band to BSNL for 4G services currently, which the operator can use for 5G once it is ready for that launch. Further, using only 2100 MHz band for 4G will not be enough for coverage and capacity.
As far as the 700 MHz band is concerned, the device ecosystem currently is not fully developed even for supporting the 5G services. Reliance Jio, which was the only operator to buy the 700 MHz band in 2022 auctions, is still not using it for its 5G services.
As the government allocated the 700 MHz band to BSNL, it wasn’t put up for auctions held a few months ago, though there was demand for it by private telecom operators.
The government is aware of this anomaly. The department of telecommunications (DoT) has informed the ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY) to advise mobile phone manufacturers on making their devices compatible with the BSNL 700 MHz or B28 band for 4G. In fact, in the advisories sent to smartphone companies, both the ministries have asked them to include the 700 MHz band in the production of the upcoming 4G smartphones.
Separately, BSNL is also working to get into an agreement with smartphone firms so that their upcoming devices are compatible with the 700 MHz band for 4G and 5G services.
Industry estimates suggest that currently, over 1,000 models of handsets are supporting BSNL’s 700 MHz band. However, this would leave the consumers to figure out on their own which smartphone supports 4G and 5G of BSNL and in which areas, an industry executive said.
“BSNL is installing mobile equipment with both 700 and 2,100 MHz bands. There should not be any concern or doubt in getting BSNL network service in case the 700 MHz handset ecosystem development is taking time to mature at affordable cost,” an official said.
Currently, BSNL’s market share is at 7.3% compared with Jio’s 40.7% share, followed by Bharti Airtel’s 33.2% and Vodafone Idea’s 18.6%. The company has deployed around 25,000 sites for 4G coverage.
The government has so far allocated Rs 3.2 lakh crore as part of three revival packages for BSNL and MTNL and it is targeting a 25% market share for BSNL by 2025.
