Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services company, has announced that it has received a major Advance Purchase Order (APO) from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for the rollout of its 4G mobile network. The order, worth ₹2,903.22 crore inclusive of taxes, was received on May 20, 2025, and covers a large-scale deployment of mobile network infrastructure at 18,685 sites across India.

This development was formally communicated by TCS in a regulatory filing dated May 21, 2025, to both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE Limited under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Scope of the BSNL Order

The APO from BSNL mandates TCS to handle end-to-end deployment of the 4G mobile network, including:

• Planning and network design

• Engineering and integration

• Supply of necessary hardware and equipment

• Installation and commissioning

• Testing of systems

• Annual maintenance of the deployed infrastructure

This expansive scope makes the project one of the most comprehensive 4G rollouts being undertaken by a public sector telecom provider in India.

Network Rollout for 18685 Sites

The network deployment will span 18,685 telecom sites, which are distributed across:

• Urban centers for improved data speeds

• Semi-urban and rural areas to bridge the digital divide

• Remote locations as part of the government’s broader connectivity mission

Once operational, the network will significantly enhance BSNL’s capacity to provide high-speed mobile internet and voice services in areas that currently suffer from poor or no connectivity.

Strategic Importance

This order aligns with the Government of India’s strategic push for telecom self-reliance, public sector modernization, and domestic vendor participation. BSNL is India’s state-owned telecom operator, and its 4G rollout is being executed with a consortium led by TCS and supported by Tejas Networks and C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics).

TCS’s involvement underscores its growing presence not only in IT services but also in national infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives.

Documentation and Fulfilment Conditions

TCS has stated that detailed Purchase Orders will be issued by BSNL in due course, contingent on:

• Fulfilment of specific preconditions

• Submission and approval of necessary documentation

This procedural step is standard in large government-linked contracts to ensure accountability, verification, and phased execution.

TCS's Broader Role in BSNL 4G

TCS is the primary systems integrator for the BSNL 4G project. In this role, the company is not only supplying its software platforms but also managing and orchestrating the integration of all hardware and network systems. This includes:

• Partnering with Tejas Networks, a Tata Group company, for Radio Access Network (RAN) hardware

• Collaborating with C-DOT for indigenous core telecom technology

• Implementing security and testing protocols across BSNL's infrastructure

This contract comes as an add-on to previous orders placed by BSNL to TCS under a multi-stage engagement that has spanned over a year. The previous reference made in the latest filing points to TCS/PR/SE-12/2023-24 dated May 22, 2023, indicating a phased expansion and scaling of the telecom project.

Impact on TCS

Receiving this order further consolidates TCS’s leadership in large-scale public sector transformation. Key implications include:

• Strengthened order book with a large-value government contract

• Reinforcement of TCS’s telecom engineering and deployment capabilities

• Boost to its profile as a trusted partner in critical national infrastructure

• Increased revenues from domestic public sector IT and telecom projects

This also highlights the synergy within Tata Group companies, with TCS and Tejas Networks working collaboratively to power India's telecom infrastructure from design to deployment.

Financial and Market Impact

Given the magnitude of the ₹2,903.22 crore order:

• It could positively impact TCS's revenues and margins in the coming quarters

• The announcement is likely to bolster investor sentiment and reinforce confidence in the company’s domestic growth trajectory

• TCS's ability to manage both IT systems and physical infrastructure deployments is further validated by this large-scale engagement

Conclusion

The ₹2,903.22 crore APO from BSNL to TCS represents a crucial step in the nationwide rollout of 4G infrastructure. The order underscores the Indian government’s emphasis on domestic capability building, telecom modernization, and inclusive digital growth.

As TCS leads the integration, deployment, and maintenance of this vast network spanning 18,685 sites, it not only deepens its telecom domain leadership but also reaffirms its status as a strategic partner in India’s digital journey.

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