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The introduction of the "BSNL PoC" represents positive developments for both telecom startups in India and BSNL.




State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is poised to serve as a nurturing ground for India's telecom startup ecosystem and domestically grown original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to test the feasibility of their solutions in a controlled environment. According to a report in the Economic Times, the government has introduced a 'BSNL PoC (Proof of Concept) policy' to facilitate the testing and development of telecom technologies designed and developed within the country by Indian startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in a plug-and-play network sandbox environment.

The 'BSNL PoC (Proof of Concept) policy' is anticipated to bring mutual benefits to both the telecom startup ecosystem in the country and BSNL. Under this policy, BSNL will provide a sandbox for applicants to evaluate their products in a fully operational telecom network setup. Once the products/solutions demonstrate their viability, they will be eligible for deployment in networks. Additionally, this initiative will enable BSNL to diversify its product and solution sourcing options.

BSNL's requirement for products to be 'made in India' is stringent, yet the organization is not inclined to award contracts solely on this basis. RK Bhatnagar, director general of Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (Voice), emphasized that BSNL follows a thorough evaluation process, similar to private telecom companies, where successful validation in networks precedes participation in tender processes.

Furthermore, the broader telecom startup ecosystem in India has struggled to secure commercial contracts with established telcos. Startup equipment manufacturers often face challenges progressing beyond trial stages, and their solutions are typically deployed on a limited scale, resulting in insufficient revenue generation. Accessing funds for telecom research and development (R&D) remains difficult, hindering the competitiveness of telecom startups in the long run.

According to the policy, BSNL is already conducting proof-of-concept (PoC) trials for various telecom solutions, demonstrating the organization's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting indigenous technologies.


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