Mobile service provider BSNL has tied up with Softbank and NTT Communications, two top telecom operators in Japan, to roll out 5G and internet of things (IoT) technology in India, PTI reported.
“We have signed agreement with Softbank and NTT Communications to roll out 5G and IoT products and services in India. Under the agreement, we will look at solution specifically for the smart cities,” BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava.

BSNL will partner with Softbank for its satellite constellation which will have around 900 satellites to provide high speed internet services across the globe.

Indian telecom operators are aiming to launch 5G in 2020. Indian telecom operators such as Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone launched 3G after seven years the technology was available in other foreign markets and 4G services after four years lag.

BSNL is working to finalise test cases for using 5G in India. BSNL has signed agreement with Finland-based telecom equipment maker Nokia and US-based enterprise networking company Cisco Systems for developing 5G ecosystem.

BSNL is in advance stages of starting 5G field trials. Government is in agreement to provide us 5G spectrum for trials.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended auction of about 8,644 MHz of telecom frequencies at an estimated base price of Rs 4.9 lakh crore. The government is yet to finalise details of allocation of spectrum for 5G services.

Some media reports earlier said India government will not auction 5G spectrum in 2018 or 2019 due to weak financial conditions in the Indian telecom market.