iWorld
BSNL dials up pride with India’s first homegrown 4G telecom stack
MUMBAI: India has just made a call that will echo worldwide and it’s a truly Swadeshi one. BSNL, in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), C-DOT, and Tejas Networks, has unveiled the Bharat Telecom Stack, a fully indigenous solution powering 4G and beyond, marking a historic stride towards a digitally self-reliant nation.
With this rollout, India joins an elite club of just five countries globally to have built a homegrown telecom technology stack. What makes it remarkable is the scale and speed the entire project, spanning 100,000 sites, was completed in just two years, making it one of the fastest 4G deployments worldwide.
Executed under a “mission mode” governance model, the project saw TCS establish data centres, integrate C-DOT’s EPC Core Application, and deploy Tejas Networks’ base stations and radio infrastructure, all stitched together with TCS CNOPS, a cognitive platform for 24/7 real-time network management. The rollout integrates seamlessly into BSNL’s existing 2G/3G systems, ensuring connectivity continuity while boosting capacity for the digital era.
For BSNL CMD A Robert J Ravi, the launch was more than technology, it was symbolism: “The nationwide rollout of our indigenous 4G network, built with TCS, Tejas, and C-DOT, is a resounding declaration of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. This ‘Made in Bharat’ stack secures our digital future and bridges the divide like never before.”
The technology isn’t just about speed or spectrum; it’s about sovereignty. By delivering ultra-secure, standards-compliant connectivity, the stack safeguards national security while democratising access enabling online education, telemedicine, e-governance, and citizen services for rural and urban India alike.
BSNL’s director (Consumer Mobility) Sandeep Govil highlighted its transformative potential: “This Swadeshi 4G technology, the result of innovation by C-DOT, Tejas, TCS, and BSNL’s workforce, is engineered for scalability. It is a cornerstone for a digitally inclusive society, ready to evolve to 5G and beyond.”
For TCS and Tejas Networks chairman N Ganapathy Subramaniam, the achievement reinforces India’s tech legacy: “We have put India on the map of only a handful of countries with a comprehensive, trusted, and software-upgradable telecom technology stack. The successful deployment at BSNL is historic, laying the foundation for India’s further contribution to global standards.”
The launch also reflects TCS’s longstanding role in shaping India’s digital infrastructure from modernising stock exchanges and passport services to healthcare and pensions for defence personnel touching millions of lives across decades.
With ultra-high bandwidth, energy efficiency (0.1 W/Gbit, 65 per cent lower than average), and intelligence boosting O&M efficiency by 40 per cent, the Bharat Telecom Stack is more than a national achievement. It is a signal loud and clear that India is ready to lead in telecom innovation, connecting every citizen while setting global benchmarks.
In short: India just built its own dial tone for the future and it’s calling the world to listen.
e-commerce
Google rolls out new AI shopping tools for Indian users
Gemini, AI Mode in Search, and Circle to Search get smarter upgrades to simplify online buying.
MUMBAI: Google is making online shopping in India a lot less “add to cart” and a lot more “ask and discover”. The tech giant has announced a fresh set of artificial intelligence-powered updates designed to make finding and buying products more intuitive and efficient. By integrating its Gemini models with the Shopping Graph, a massive dataset of over 50 billion product listings that sees nearly 2 billion updates every hour, Google is bringing smarter, more conversational shopping experiences across its platforms.
Users can now move seamlessly from idea generation to product discovery within the Gemini app. Whether planning a festive outfit or building a gift list, shoppers can receive product listings, comparison tables, pricing from across the web, and direct purchase links, all through natural conversation. The feature is currently available in English and Hindi.
Google has upgraded its AI Mode in Search, turning it into a more natural shopping assistant. Instead of relying on traditional filters and keywords, users can ask questions in plain language and receive structured responses with visuals, pricing, reviews, and inventory details. Comparison tables highlighting key differences are also included. While currently available in English, a Hindi version is expected soon.
The popular Circle to Search feature has been enhanced on devices such as the Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S26 series. Users can now identify and explore multiple objects in a single image at once. In fashion-related queries, the tool can break down entire outfits and suggest similar products, making style replication or discovery much easier.
Google stated that these updates build on last year’s successful rollout of the Virtual Try-On tool in India, which helped users visualise apparel before purchase.
In a market where shopping decisions often happen in seconds, Google is betting that smarter AI will turn casual browsing into confident buying. From festive shopping lists to spotting the perfect outfit in a photo, these new tools aim to make every scroll feel a little more rewarding and a lot less overwhelming.
