The Tata Group, through its flagship IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), is said to embark on a new venture to enhance mobile connectivity across the country. In a substantial Rs 15,000-crore agreement with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), TCS is said to roll out a robust 4G network in India. This strategic partnership is expected to revolutionize mobile internet speeds for users in the nation and lay the groundwork for future 5G capabilities.
Expanding 4G reach to rural areas
TCS and BSNL, under the ambitious initiative, aim at bringing high-speed 4G connectivity to over 1,000 villages, which is significantly boosting the quality of mobile internet services in the rural region of the country.
Reports further indicate that BSNL is gearing up to establish seamless communication networks in the country, for connecting various district and tehsil offices, thereby further enhancing the administrative efficiency and accessibility.
Data centres and network deployment
As part of the deal, TCS is setting up extensive data centres across four regions of the country. These data centres will play a crucial role in supporting the 4G infrastructure and ensuring smooth operation and maintenance of the network.
The deployment plan further involved the vast network to provide comprehensive 4G and future 5G services across the country.
BSNL has already made significant strides in this direction and has already installed more than 9,000 towers for 4G services in various parts of the country. Now it is more focused towards expanding its reach by installing 4G services at an additional 1 lakh sites, which are aiming for a full-scale rollout by August 2024.
Collaborations and plans
Besides this collaboration, Tejas Networks and ITI, are the other government-owned entity, which have secured substantial orders from BSNL.
Together with TCS, these firms have been working towards deploying a scalable 4G network that can seamlessly transition to 5G technology in the future, too. This combined effort will represent orders which are amounting to almost Rs 19,000 crore.
This partnership highlights the commitment of TCS to leveraging the technology to drive connectivity and digital inclusion across the country. With a market cap of Rs 14.08 lakh crore as of June 9 (2024), TCS will undertake this transformative project in collaboration with BSNL and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).
Strategic importance for India's digital future
The deployment of a 4G network by BSNL and TCS is an important step towards bridging the digital divide and enhancing connectivity across the country.
By extending high-speed internet services to the rural and remote areas, this initiative will support economic growth, digital literacy and education. Moreover, it will set the stage for a future transition to 5G and will align with India's vision of digital empowerment to society.
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