Bharat's TCIL's bid to replace Chinese technology in African telecom networks

Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) is reportedly making moves to convince operators in Angola, Gambia and Mauritius to buy telecoms equipment from Indian companies.

 

According to ETTelecom, state-run TCIL says it has conducted market surveys for Angola, Gambia and Mauritius, and aims to pitch Indian equipment from C-DoT and Tejas as viable upgrade alternatives.

 

 

 

“We can offer them a converged core for delivering both fixed and mobile services along with operation of the backbone network,” TCIL chair Sanjeev Kumar told the publication. “It will be in the interest of their telecom operators and public where Indian experience and technology can deliver services to these countries at a very low cost.”

 

India has been keen to build itself up as a major exporter of telecoms equipment, particularly for 5G and 6G. The Department of Telecommunication’s R&D arm, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) has been developing indigenous solutions for 4G and 5G networks.

 

 

 

State-owned telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has deployed C-DoT’s 4G core, as well as radio equipment from Tejas Networks. It’s planning to deploys C-DoT’s standalone 5G equipment next year, including a 5G SA radio, core and IP Multimedia System.

 

According to Kumar, Mauritius Telecom has already agreed to a proof of concept on one of its islands, starting with three 4G base stations and a hybrid optical line terminal (OLT) from Tejas with a converged core from C-DoT, plus an one E-band radio from Astra.

 

TCIL also says state-owned Gamtel and its wireless arm Gamcel are keen on the idea and have recommended that the government to adopt TCIL’s proposal.

 

Last week, Gamtel signed a deal with Huawei to upgrade and expand its core network.