State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) recently launched the Bharat Telecom Stack, a fully indigenous, end-to-end telecom solution developed in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and Tejas Networks. The Bharat Telecom Stack now provides 4G connectivity to 26,700 Indian villages.
With this rollout, India joins a group of just five nations worldwide that have built a self-reliant telecom technology stack capable of building 4G networks and evolving into future generations, according to the official announcement.
The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of creating a sovereign and digitally inclusive India. It is also in line with the Make in India initiative of the Indian Government.
The nationwide deployment was executed at unprecedented speed. TCS spearheaded the rollout, establishing data centres, deploying C-DOT’s EPC Core, and installing Tejas Networks’ radio and base station infrastructure across 100,000 sites. The entire system is monitored and optimized via TCS’s AI-powered Cognitive Network Operations (CNOPS) platform.
Significantly, the project was completed in just two years, making it one of the fastest 4G rollouts worldwide. The press release claims that it is fully integrated into BSNL’s legacy 2G and 3G infrastructure.
Why this Matters
The Bharat Telecom Stack will help India bring down its reliance on foreign vendors since most of the network gear is imported by Indian telcos. It is also likely to boost the domestic manufacturing of the telecom gear, which in turn will help in generating jobs and building a supply chain, besides developing capabilities in the manufacturing of high-precision technology products.
The use of indigenous telecom equipment will help in ensuring national security. In addition, it is likely to help telecom service providers to cost-effectively expand in rural and remote areas. Most importantly, it gives confidence to the people about the technological prowess of indigenously developed products.
“Today, we celebrate a monumental achievement for national pride. The nationwide rollout of our indigenous 4G network, built on the strength of collaboration with TCS, Tejas Networks, and C-DOT, is a resounding declaration of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. This ‘Made in Bharat’ stack, brought to life by the relentless dedication of Team BSNL, secures our digital future and ensures that the fruits of connectivity empower every citizen, bridging the digital divide like never before,” said A. Robert J. Ravi, CMD, BSNL, adding that the stack demonstrates India’s ability to build a secure, sovereign digital future.
“We are proud that we have put India on the map of only a handful of countries to have developed a comprehensive, trusted and software-upgradable telecom technology stack. The successful deployment at BSNL is historic and significant in ushering the benefits of a powerful data and voice network to all corners of the country. It once again reflects TCS’ commitment to building India’s digital infrastructure and continuously supporting the country’s digital aspirations. The stack, built in compliance to 3GPP standards lays the foundation for India’s further contribution to standards,” said N. Ganapathy Subramaniam, Advisor at TCS and Chairman of Tejas Networks.
