India's state-owned operators that hold Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum licenses are finding themselves in tough positions given the fact that they have chosen to deploy WiMAX while the privately owned BWA licensees are opting to deploy TD-LTE networks.
According to Light Reading Asia, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. (MTNL) has postponed its plan indefinitely to roll out WiMAX networks in Dehli and Mumbai, where it offers services. The operator had planned to issue tenders to appoint WiMAX franchisees. "We have decided not to go ahead with our WiMAX plans for the time being," a senior MTNL executive told the publication.
The other state-owned carrier, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) operates in India's other 20 service areas and has appointed franchisees for its WiMAX deployment, but it has missed it commercial launch target of March 2011.
Meanwhile, it appears some rather large licensees such as Aircel, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Industries will likely be among the first operators to deploy TD-LTE, likely in 2012.
For more:
- see this Light Reading Asia article
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