It appears that the division of telecommunication (DoT) could have to method the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to resolve the impasse connected to finalisation of BSNL’s 4G tender. The matter is stuck as a DoT-appointed technical committee has suggested that the core of the 4G network of the organization ought to be constructed by domestic vendors below a method integrator model and not by international firms like Ericsson or Nokia.
Further, the committee has laid down that the IPR or licence/copyright for the supply code of the application ought to be owned by an Indian organization, and it have to have unrestricted, irrevocable access and licence to modify the supply code and provide application help for all future versions of the application. The supply code ought to be deposited in an escrow account and ought to be the very same as the version deployed in the field.
Now, BSNL has expressed helplessness on 3 grounds. First, it has mentioned that it does not have the methodology to confirm that the application version deployed in the field is the very same that has been deposited in the escrow account. It has also mentioned that it does not have the competence or self-assurance on the topic of supply code compilation with non-proprietary compilers.
Second, the committee although recommending definition of “Indian core”, has talked about that “in addition, the company should be incorporated, registered and headquartered in India”. BSNL has mentioned that it will be difficult to confirm the “headquartered in India” clause as the very same is not talked about in certificate of registration. It has also mentioned that the recommendation of the committee on “Indian core only” appears to be in deviation with the PMI (preference to make in India) suggestions as circulated by the division for promotion of market and internal trade (DPIIT).
Third, possessing two separate cores – current core for 2G/3G and new core only for 4G – would lead to formation of two diverse and isolated island networks inside the very same geographical location which will outcome into several challenges such as adverse effect on good quality of service to consumers. The 2G/3G network has been constructed by Nokia and ZTE.
Since the suggestions of the technical committee have been framed below the general framework place in spot for the tender by an empowered group on telecom (ETG) headed by the principal scientific advisor, K VijayRaghavan, DoT feels that it requirements to method the PMO for acceptable suggestions on how to proceed additional.
The matter requirements resolution quickly as in the absence of it the specifications of the tender can not be finalised. Further, the finalisation of the tender is currently operating late – the 1st 1 was finalised in March but was cancelled in July as it was felt that the specifications had been loaded against the Indian players.
BSNL has flagged that additional delays in the tender, which could stretch to more than a year if it is anticipated to meet all the situations of the technical committee, would lead to loss of subscribers and income for it and it ought to be suitably compensated for the very same.