BSNL to sign INR4bn upgrade deal with Huawei

State-backed telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is expected to sign a deal worth INR4 billion (USD72.76 million) with China’s Huawei for the supply of equipment to overhaul the telco’s landline network. According to the Economic Times, the agreement covers equipment for the installation of four million lines and the replacement of 40,000 exchanges. The development is expected to shore-up BSNL’s fixed access business as part of plans to reverse the operator’s declining fortunes. The Economic Times quotes a senior BSNL official as saying: ‘To date, our landline resources have primarily carried voice signals, but the replacement of the old telephone exchanges with next-generation equipment will enable our landlines to carry a mix of voice, data and video signals.’