Tejas says its radios meet all emission standards and attributes Airtel’s network interference to improper tower placement near BSNL sites.
Background: Airtel Flags Interference from BSNL 4G Equipment
Bharti Airtel recently alleged that network interference in Rajasthan was being caused by substandard radio equipment deployed in BSNL’s 4G network, supplied by Tejas Networks.
However, Tejas—part of the TCS-C-DOT consortium handling BSNL’s 4G rollout—has rejected the allegations, defending its equipment’s quality and compliance.
Tejas Responds: It’s About Tower Placement, Not Equipment Quality
In a letter dated November 24, 2025, Tejas Networks’ Executive Director & COO Arnob Roy addressed Airtel’s Chief Regulatory Officer, stating:
“The interference arises not due to Tejas’s radios, but because Airtel’s towers are positioned too close to BSNL sites without accounting for coupling losses.”
Tejas emphasized that close proximity of telecom towers, when not planned with interference mitigation measures, can elevate the noise floor—disrupting signals regardless of equipment brand.
Compliance with Standards: Tejas Defends Radio Performance
Tejas asserted that its B05-band radios in Rajasthan are:
- Fully compliant with 3GPP and TEC standards
- Certified by accredited agencies for out-of-band emissions
- Equipped with built-in filters to prevent signal spillover into Airtel’s network
Roy noted that these radios are on par with equipment from global OEMs, including those used by Airtel itself.
“There is no rationale for Airtel to classify our radios as sub-standard,” Tejas stated, calling Airtel’s claims baseless and disappointing.
BSNL Deployments Within Emission Norms
Tejas reaffirmed that all radios deployed for BSNL:
- Meet emission limits with ample safety margins
- Have passed tender and technical specifications
- Are supported by network filters and antenna-level filtering to reduce interference
Tejas also pointed out that BSNL has already deployed filtered antennas at over 1,000 sites, and further cooperation with Airtel could help manage any residual interference.
Strategic Importance of BSNL’s 4G Rollout
Tejas has already deployed nearly 100,000 BSNL 4G sites, with an additional 18,500 planned, all upgradable to 5G. The company plays a crucial role in BSNL’s nationwide expansion under the Make in India telecom revival initiative.
As a Tata Group entity, Tejas’s equipment is central to a government-backed push to develop indigenous telecom infrastructure.
What’s Next: Cooperation or Conflict?
While the exchange highlights growing spectrum coordination challenges in dense telecom zones, Tejas suggests collaboration, not blame, is the way forward:
- Work together on antenna filtering strategies
- Ensure site separation and spectrum planning
- Avoid public disputes that undermine domestic manufacturing efforts
Tejas Networks has denied Airtel’s claims that its radios caused network interference in Rajasthan, blaming instead Airtel’s tower placements near BSNL sites. The company insists its equipment meets all emission norms and urges collaboration over conflict.
