Telecom Lead India: India’s security agencies have raised concerns over ZTE managing Bharti Airtel’s TD-LTE-based high speed mobile broadband network in Kolkata.
Airtel launched TD-LTE services in Kolkata in April this year. The Chinese telecom equipment company ZTE is the network provider for Kolkata circle.
Intelligence Bureau, according to a PTI report, has sought details from the Department of Telecom (DoT) about the role of ZTE in managing Airtel’s 4G network and if it is planning the proposed remote access (RA) to be provided to ZTE.
The security agency also wanted to know if local people have been given training in handling the network.
ZTE is very active in LTE space. It has applied for 381 essential patents (EPs) for LTE standards, which account for approximately seven percent of the total number of EP applications globally. The company has won 30 contracts for LTE commercial application and has deployed test networks in cooperation with more than 100 operators across the globe.
Besides Kolkata, Bharti Airtel has launched its 4G services in Bangalore too. Airtel’s TD-LTE launch in Karnataka is handled by Huawei.
When asked for comments, a Bharti Airtel spokesperson said, “ZTE manages our 4G network in Kolkata…Beyond this we have no comments to offer.”
Airtel selected ZTE as its telecom equipment partner for the 4G network launch in Kolkata. The TD/LTE service launch will offer high speed wireless internet access that can support bandwidth intensive applications, support video streaming and high-definition video conferencing. Bharti Airtel will deploy its TD-LTE network in the 2.3 GHz frequency band allocated by the Indian government for broadband wireless access technologies. ZTE will help Airtel plan, design, supply and deploy its 4G network in Kolkata.
Nokia Siemens Networks will be handling its TD-LTE service launch in Maharashtra.
Bharti Airtel bagged broadband wireless access (BWA) licence to offer ultra high speed data services in four Indian telecom circles — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kolkata and Punjab.
The company had paid a total of Rs 3,314.36 crore as licence and spectrum fee during an auction held in June 2010.
According to industry estimates, by 2016 – 6 percent of all mobile connections will have 4G connection, which would create 36 percent of the total mobile data traffic – thus paving way for the ensuing data revolution.
Bharti Airtel to launch TD-LTE services in Maharashtra, signs deal with Nokia Siemens Networks
Earlier this year Airtel had announced plans to launch LTE services in Maharashtra. For this, the company has chosen Nokia Siemens Networks as equipment partner.
editor@telecomlead.com
