Use of single-band 2.4GHz Wi-Fi devices to impact infrastructure scalability, sustainability: Domestic group
BharatNet
may impact performance, scalability and sustainability of telecom infrastructure, following top chipset vendors -- Broadcom, Qualcomm,
MediaTek
and
RealTek
-- discontinuing technology support, a domestic industry group said.
'The continued use of 2.4GHz-only Wi-Fi products in BharatNet deployments is not merely a technical issue but a strategic oversight. It negatively impacts performance, scalability and the long-term sustainability of the infrastructure while sending the wrong message to the domestic technology ecosystem,' Rakesh Kumar Bhatnagar, director-general,
Voice
of Indian Communication Technology Enterprise (Voice), told ETTelecom
Delhi-based group that represents Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HFCL, Tejas Networks, Coral Telecom and Lekha Wireless, further said that an urgent and decisive action is needed to bring BharatNet in line with the current global broadband standards and to better serve rural communities and taxpayers.
However, the state-run
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
(
BSNL
) is yet to finalise the Gigabit Passive Optical Network Optical Network Terminal (GPON ONT) award order for the amended
BharatNet phase III
program that aims to connect more than 6 lakh villages with an optical fibre network.
Meanwhile, it has mandated the use of dual-band and single-band access points in a 60:40 ratio, in one of its recent notice inviting tenders.
GPON ONT is a device that is commonly used for the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) rollout. These devices are used to convert optical signals originating from the fiber into electrical ones that can be used by routers, computers, and other devices to access the internet.
Homegrown companies argue that the 2.4GHz-only Wi-Fi access points have technical incompetencies, bandwidth limitation and channel congestion, high-interference sensitivity, and outdated protocol support.
'Continuing with single-band procurement risks BharatNet becoming a dumping ground for obsolete technology.'
While the devices have reached an end of life, the global chipset suppliers such as Broadcom, Qualcomm, MediaTek and Realtek have ceased support for single-band 2.4GHz hardware designs.
Industry experts say that even ecosystem vendors including driver developers, firmware maintainers, and calibration tool providers have discontinued support for single-band 2.4GHz only utilities and drivers.
'This exposes BSNL and BharatNet to risks around firmware updates, security patches, and hardware maintenance.'
Queries to BSNL as well as Broadcom, MediaTek and Realtek remain unanswered.
Bhatnagar further said that the current situation appears to be a "strategic misalignment" with global Wi-Fi evolution, at a time when standards are evolving and the industry has embraced dual-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz) and tri-band (including 6GHz) as standard.
Outdated technology, according to him, poses a threat to India's digital goals, and undermines the
Digital India vision
, reduces service quality in rural areas, and exacerbates the digital divide.
The group further said that while the country's telecom department (DoT) and Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) promote modern technologies such as Wi-Fi 6, BharatNet's procurement practices continue to reflect outdated standards, resulting in a "mismatch between policy intent and execution."
The domestic industry group said that any plan a for deployment of older technology would be a waste of public funds, and future tenders must not allow procurement of single-band Wi-Fi devices, and the public sector telco may adopt a transition roadmap of BharatNet from Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology.
Originally, the IEEE 802.11 wireless networking standard was released in 1997.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
10 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Sundram Fasteners Q1 net up 4% to record Rs 148 crore, exports dip
Sundram Fasteners, the Chennai-based auto components major, reported its highest-ever consolidated net profit of Rs 147.94 crore for the first quarter of FY26, a 4 per cent increase from Rs 142.69 crore in the same quarter last year. The company also posted record consolidated revenue of Rs 1,533.39 crore, marking a 2 per cent year-on-year growth. The consolidated earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, stood at Rs 7.06. Managing Director Arathi Krishna attributed the strong performance to resilient domestic demand and robust execution. 'This progress is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams, who continue to drive operational excellence and uphold the highest standards of product quality,' she said. Operational highlights Standalone revenue from operations rose to Rs 1,350.17 crore, up from Rs 1,310.33 crore last year. Export sales, however, declined to Rs 379.14 crore from Rs 422.65 crore, reflecting pressures from global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. The EBITDA for the quarter reached Rs 238.77 crore, the highest in the company's history, up from Rs 223.06 crore in Q1 FY25. The EBITDA margin improved to 17.5 per cent, supported by stable commodity prices, a favourable product mix, and stronger domestic sales. Gross margins improved significantly, from 57.5 per cent to 59.9 per cent. Outlook and strategy Despite global headwinds, Krishna emphasised the company's continued focus on long-term growth. 'We remain confident in the competitive strength of our product portfolio and the durability of our long-term partnerships,' she said. Sundram Fasteners plans to continue investing in innovation, capacity expansion, and customer engagement, aiming to fortify its leadership in the Indian and global automotive component markets. The company's robust quarterly performance highlights its ability to weather external shocks, even as exports slow, and positions it for continued expansion through strategic domestic investments.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
10 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Section 232 returns: Trump's tariff hits $360-mn Indian copper exports
In a sweeping new trade measure, US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing a 50 per cent tariff on copper imports effective 1 August, citing national security concerns under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The tariff, announced amid a broader re-emergence of Trump's protectionist trade agenda, is aimed at reducing the United States' reliance on foreign copper. Washington argues that such dependence poses a risk to critical domestic sectors such as defence, clean energy, power infrastructure, and semiconductors. India among impacted exporters India exported $360 million worth of copper products to the US in FY25, comprising plates, tubes, and other semi-finished forms. These shipments will now become significantly more expensive for US buyers. However, since the tariff applies uniformly to all countries—including US allies such as Japan and the European Union (EU)—India is unlikely to be specifically disadvantaged compared to other global exporters. According to a research brief by New Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative, the policy could end up hurting the US economy more than its intended targets. 'Copper is a foundational raw material for electric vehicles, power grids, semiconductors, and defence electronics. A sudden 50 per cent hike in input costs will ripple through these sectors—slowing production, raising prices, and undermining the US clean energy transition,' the brief stated. What is Section 232? Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962 allows the President to impose tariffs or quotas if imports are deemed to threaten national security. The process begins with a Department of Commerce investigation, which includes public input and ends with a report to the President within 270 days. The President then has 90 days to determine whether and what action to take. Although statutory timelines are fixed, investigations are often accelerated under exigent circumstances. Trump, known for invoking Section 232 during his first term, previously used it to impose: A 25% tariff on steel and 10% on aluminium in 2018; Increased both to 50% in June 2025; A 25% tariff on automobiles and auto parts in April and May this year. The latest copper tariff is seen as part of a broader trade reconfiguration strategy. More industries under review The Trump administration has launched additional Section 232 investigations covering: Lumber Pharmaceuticals Semiconductors Critical and processed minerals Commercial aircraft and jet engines Trucks and truck parts The ongoing semiconductor investigation, launched in April 2025, has already been expanded to include consumer electronics such as smartphones and laptops. The findings are expected within two weeks, and trade experts warn of potential spillover effects on India's iPhone exports to the US if these are deemed to pose a national security threat. While the new copper tariff may align with Trump's political strategy of reshoring industrial supply chains, its downstream effects on the US defence, clean energy, and technology ecosystems could be far-reaching. For India, the move adds a new layer of complexity in its export growth strategy, particularly as it expands its presence in global manufacturing supply chains.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
10 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Starlink gets satellite internet permit, spectrum norms ready: Scindia
Elon Musk-led Starlink has received a licence to launch satellite service in India, and a framework for spectrum allocation is also in place for a smooth rollout, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. The announcement was made on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call made in the country in 1995. "Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout," Scindia said. Along with Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES are also awaiting spectrum allocation to roll out their satcom services. The minister said that over the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's digital transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. "From remote villages to bustling cities, digital access has empowered citizens, bridged divides, and made India a global leader in affordable, inclusive technology," he added. The minister said telephone connections in the country now stand at 1.2 billion, and internet subscriptions have surged by nearly 286 per cent to 970 million. "Broadband usage has seen explosive growth of over 1,450 per cent, rising from 60 million in 2014 to 944 million today. Most notably, the cost of mobile data has dropped by 96.6 per cent, making India the global leader in affordable data at just Rs 8.9 per GB," he said. Scindia said the revival of BSNL has been a major breakthrough. "For the first time in 18 years, BSNL reported back-to-back net profits of Rs 262 crore and Rs 280 crore in FY 2024-25. Over 83,000 4G sites have been installed, with 74,000 already operational, all built on indigenously developed technology. Crack Teams, AI-powered monitoring, and fibre fault resolution within 12 hours have raised service standards across the board," the minister noted. He said India's rapid 5G rollout has covered 99.6 per cent of districts, with 4.74 lakh 5G towers and 300 million users. "With the world's highest per capita 5G usage (32 GB per month) and 100 Use Case Labs in place, India is also among the top six countries in 6G patent filings. Investments under the Production Linked Incentive scheme have touched Rs 4,305 crore, resulting in Rs 85,391 crore in sales and over 28,000 jobs. Foreign direct investment has nearly tripled from USD 282 million to USD 710 million," the minister added. Commenting on the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call in India, telecom industry body COAI Director General SP Kochhar said India's telecom sector has witnessed a phenomenal transformation since the country's first cellular call in 1995. "Today, India stands as the world's second-largest telecom market, boasting over 1.2 billion subscribers and some of the most affordable tariff rates globally. An Indian subscriber now uses over 21 GB of data each month on average, which is a testament to the world-class infrastructure developed by leading Indian telecom operators," Kocchar said. He said that the mobile service landscape in the country started with 2G and now over 85 per cent of India's population and more than 99 per cent of the districts in India enjoy access to 5G services. Domestic telecom gear maker HFCL managing director Mahendra Nahata said that while the late 1990s and early 2000s saw a rapid expansion of mobile infrastructure, the sector truly came of age with the advent of affordable services and innovative prepaid models that made mobile access available to millions across both major cities and remote villages. "While India followed the global curve during the 2G and 3G eras and caught up with the world in 4G, it surprised many by emerging as the country with the fastest 5G rollout in the world. Now, with a bold vision to lead in future technologies, India is actively working on developing 6G, not just to adopt, but to help shape and set global standards," Nahata said. Telecom gear maker GX Group CEO Paritosh Prajapati said as India marks the 30th anniversary of its first cellular call, the country stands at a defining moment in the journey of self-reliance. "The telecom sector has been the backbone of our digital transformation, and initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme are ensuring that India doesn't just consume technology, but designs, develops and manufactures it for the world. The next three decades will belong to a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat, leading global innovation from within our borders," Prajapati said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
