Government–owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Huawei have joined hands to transit the PSU’s traditional telephone exchanges to Next Generation Networks (NGN). Replacement of existing equipment with Internet Protocol (IP) based NGN switches would be carried out in a phased manner in major circles.
 
The migration to NGN network will be seamless for end-users and once in place, users can expect much improved voice quality and broadband experience. In essence, migration to IP-based packet switches and servers will set the platform for Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC), which breaks down distinctions between fixed and mobile networks and provides customers seamless inter-operability of wired and wireless voice and broadband services at home, office or while on the move.


 
On 29thJanuary 2014, BSNL successfully made Voice/Video calls between Bangalore and Hyderabad through recently built NGN C-5/IMS network of Huawei.
 
BSNL is targeting this replacement in a phased manner during which 1 million lines would be replaced in Phase-1 and 3 Million lines in Phase-2 to migrate a total of existing 4 million PSTN subscribers to IMS (IP Multi-media Subsystem) platform. This would help BSNL reduce the overall operational expenditure and offer better services to customers.


 
“We are happy to inform our users that BSNL is rolling out state-of-the-art NGN from Huawei in 21 telecom circles in India, with a clear objective of providing world-class voice and data services to our customers. This architecture will reduce the overall OPEX leading to an improved profitability and lower costs to end users. Once NGN is fully commissioned, BSNL customers can expect much improved voice quality and richer broadband experience,” said R. K. Upadhyay, CMD of BSNL.
 
“With this new technology, BSNL will be able to migrate 4 million existing PSTN subscribers to IMS platform and offer next generation services besides voice, such as video, IPTV, IP-Centrex and MMVC,” said N. K. Gupta, director (CFA), BSNL.
 
“Huawei is a customer-centric company and believes in providing state-of-the-art technology to Indian customers. We hold a global leadership position in NGN and IMS technologies and are very happy to partner with BSNL to bring this cutting-edge technology to the benefit of Indian consumers,” said Cai Liqun, CEO of Huawei India. “Our IMS solution has key advantages and telcos can leverage the platform to monetize on new data services and significantly increase their revenue potential on new IP-based multi-media services. This will translate to a bigger impact nationwide of a larger broadband base and a better connected society leading to sustainable development of telecom and ICT economy in India.”