Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has officially rolled out its long-awaited indigenous 4G services, marking a major milestone in India’s digital and telecom journey. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project on Saturday, commissioning nearly 97,500 mobile towers built entirely on a homegrown 4G technology stack.
The ?37,000-crore rollout is the largest of its kind in India and aims to deliver high-speed mobile internet across both urban and rural regions. Over 26,700 villages that previously lacked connectivity are expected to benefit, with many of the sites powered by solar energy to ensure sustainable operations.
A Fully Homegrown Stack
The indigenous 4G network has been developed through collaboration between three key Indian entities:
- C-DOT: Designed the core network (Evolved Packet Core).
- Tejas Networks: Developed the radio access network equipment.
- TCS: Acted as the system integrator, ensuring deployment and network management.
The entire stack is software-driven and future-ready, with the capability to upgrade to 5G without major hardware overhauls.
Strengthening Digital Sovereignty
Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia hailed the launch as a turning point, saying India has joined the elite club of nations capable of building and deploying complete telecom networks. “We are moving from being a telecom service nation to a telecom manufacturing and exporting nation,” he said.
The project is also seen as a boost for the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, reducing dependence on foreign telecom vendors and strengthening national digital sovereignty.
Bridging the Digital Divide
The rollout prioritises rural, remote, and border regions where private operators have limited presence. BSNL’s new network is expected to support e-governance, digital education, telemedicine, and financial inclusion programs, enabling millions in underserved areas to access the digital economy.
BSNL’s Revival Moment
For BSNL, which had fallen behind private players in 4G and 5G services, the launch represents a potential revival. The state-run operator can now compete more effectively, particularly in rural markets where reach is critical.
Industry experts say success will depend on smooth integration, service reliability, and subscriber adoption. Private operators already lead in 5G, but BSNL’s strategy hinges on leveraging its vast rural footprint.
5G-Ready Plans
BSNL has confirmed that its indigenous 4G infrastructure has been designed to be seamlessly upgradable to 5G. With software-defined architecture and cloud-based scalability, the network can transition to 5G with minimal hardware changes.
According to BSNL officials, the company plans to pilot 5G services by early 2026 in select metro cities, followed by phased expansion across the country. Priority will be given to industrial corridors, smart cities, and high-demand regions, with rural coverage gradually integrated.
This approach ensures BSNL will not only provide affordable 4G connectivity but also be prepared to tap into the next wave of digital services, IoT, and enterprise-grade 5G solutions.
Road Ahead
While the indigenous 4G rollout is being seen as a historic step, its real test lies in service reliability and adoption. If executed well, BSNL’s swadeshi 4G-5G stack could become a global export model, showcasing India’s ability to design, build, and scale world-class telecom technology.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on BSNL Indigenous 4G Rollout
1. What is BSNL’s indigenous 4G network?
BSNL’s indigenous 4G network is a fully homegrown telecom solution developed by C-DOT, Tejas Networks, and TCS under the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It uses Indian-developed core and radio technologies to provide high-speed 4G connectivity across the country.
2. How many towers are being deployed?
BSNL is deploying 97,500 mobile towers across India, out of which 92,600 are new sites. These will cover both urban and rural regions, including over 26,700 previously unconnected villages.
3. Is BSNL’s 4G network 5G-ready?
Yes. The indigenous 4G stack is software-driven and cloud-based, making it upgradable to 5G with minimal hardware changes. BSNL plans to pilot 5G services in early 2026 in major cities, followed by a phased rollout nationwide.
4. Who developed BSNL’s indigenous 4G technology?
The project is a joint effort:
- C-DOT: Core network (EPC)
- Tejas Networks: Radio access network (RAN)
- TCS: System integration and network management
5. How much is the project worth?
The total cost of the indigenous 4G rollout is around ?37,000 crore, making it one of India’s largest telecom infrastructure projects.
6. What are the benefits for rural India?
The rollout will bridge the digital divide by bringing high-speed internet to remote and border areas. It will enable e-governance, digital education, telemedicine, banking, and agricultural services for millions of rural citizens.
7. How does this help India’s self-reliance?
This launch reduces dependence on foreign telecom vendors and places India among the few nations capable of building and deploying a complete telecom network stack domestically. It strengthens digital sovereignty and supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
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