Delhi: Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Asociation(TEMA) of India suggests that BSNL immediately procure 4G equipment from open tenders and compulsorily reserve at least 20% or 30 % for domestic companies Consortium, who can follow the route of proof of concept, initial deployment, etc. This will allow 80 or 70 % of the network to be deployed by BSNL immediately for 4G.
TEMA appreciates domestic manufacturing and at the same time, TEMA feels it is our duty to ensure that BSNL‘s interests are not compromised. BSNL is the lifeline of India and is of strategic interest in National Security matters. Govt. is committed for the revival of BSNL, MTNL, and has recently sanctioned revival package, which includes 4G spectrum.
Domestic companies are putting consortium of domestic manufacturers to stitch together 4G equipment. CDOT, ITI, several local R&D firms are playing a critical role in the consortium to achieve their goal of manufacturing and supplying 4G equipment.
TEMA feels that the proposed plan of Govt. to ask domestic consortium for proof of concept, followed by one circle deployment, and then the full-scale implementation may delay implementation of 4G by BSNL at least by one or two years and that may not be in the interest of BSNL
All domestic manufacturers depend on BSNL/MTNL for supplies. Hence we need to consider an approach, where BSNL implements 4G fast and we also promote domestic manufacturing.
DOT for many years had the policy to give trial/educational orders to new domestic manufacturers and that is how India today is fully self-sufficient in manufacturing of Optical Fibre cables and other telecom Cables and some other telecom products.
TEMA also request National security Interests may be kept in view and that domestic capabilities may be utilized even for 80 or 70 % procurement by way of:
- Follow the appropriate policy of Govt. to secure network and avoid procurement from unfriendly border countries.
- All the bidders should follow PPP MII for various domestically available products/components as per the list announced by DOT vide its order dated 29.8.2018 and to give 100% Telecom orders to PMI compliant vendors using PMI compliant equipment including 4G equipment, cables, GPoNs, Wi-Fi, etc.
- While inviting bids from Indian consortium, care may be taken for eligibility criteria with regard to past experience, etc.
- The Indian vendors should be those who have their global HQs in India, are majority-owned by Indians, should be PMI compliant, and use Indian owned technology and software with source code sharing with DOT.
- Adequate delivery period may please be given to Indian bidders to avoid LD affecting the total pricing of the order.
- All the bidders should adhere to technical parameters as decided by TEC and other Govt. designated technical bodies.
Prof NK Goyal, Chairman TEMA, "BSNL is of strategic importance because of national security issues. It is in the interest of all of us that BSNL becomes strong and strong. 4G is very necessary for BSNL to increase the subscriber base. Accordingly, TEMA has requested the government to let them procure 80% requirement immediately and balance 20% can be earmarked for the domestic consortium."
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