BSNL to launch 4G services in Kerala from Jan'18

State-run telecom service provider, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited(BSNL) is all set to launch 4G services across the country starting with Kerala from January 2018.

BSNL Chairman and Managing Director, Anupam Shrivastava said, "We are going to start 4G from Kerala. That will be our first circle on 4G LTE." This will be followed by Odisha, a revenue positive circle for BSNL, he added. The State-run telecom operator further notes that they will mainly focus on areas where 3G coverage is low.

The state-owned telecom operator which competes with Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone and Idea that already have an established 4G footprint wants to expand further however, it lacks additional spectrum. BSNL plans to gain another 5MHz spectrum in the 2100MHz band in lieu of additional equity to the government. In Rajasthan, however, BSNL is looking for spectrum in the 800 MHz band.

"Once the additional 5MHz spectrum comes to us, we will start rolling out in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other places. So the network will become 2G, 3G, and 4G with enhanced data capability," Shrivastava added.

BSNL currently has 10 crore mobile customers across the country (except Mumbai and Delhi). Shrivastava also revealed that BSNL is planning to launch a separate brand identity for 4G services.