BSNL 4G expansion

BSNL’s 4G Expansion: Over 50,000 Sites Installed, 41,000 Operational as Mid-2025 Target Approaches

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India’s state-owned telecom giant, has marked significant progress in its 4G rollout, reaching the milestone of 50,000 installed 4G sites. As of October 29, 2024, over 41,000 of these sites are fully operational. This ambitious expansion, partly funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), also known as Digital Bharat Nidhi, is aimed at enhancing high-speed internet access across India.

Of the recently established sites, 36,747 were completed under Phase IX.2 of the 4G rollout project, while an additional 5,000 sites were installed under the 4G saturation initiative. This extensive deployment aims to fulfill BSNL’s goal of 1 lakh 4G sites by the end of the current financial year. At its current pace—having added over 25,000 sites in the last three months—BSNL is well-positioned to install the remaining 50,000 sites by March 31, 2025. However, it’s important to note that site installation and operationalization are separate processes, meaning that the entire 1 lakh sites may require further time for activation even if physical installation is complete.

Jyotiraditya Scindia Confirms Target Completion Timeline

India’s Telecom Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has projected that BSNL will reach its 1 lakh operational 4G sites target by mid-2025. Achieving this goal would represent a major leap in BSNL’s capacity to deliver high-speed internet services nationwide, strengthening digital connectivity and aligning with India’s Digital Bharat initiative.

Industry Perspectives and Future Expansion

While reaching the 1 lakh site milestone is a crucial step, telecom analysts indicate that additional infrastructure will be necessary to ensure seamless PAN-India 4G coverage. Although BSNL holds the 700 MHz frequency band, which offers excellent propagation characteristics, further expansion may be essential to meet the growing data demands and connectivity expectations across India. Industry experts remain hopeful that BSNL, along with government support, will implement the required measures to maintain consistent network enhancement even after this target is met.

BSNL’s Roadmap to 5G

Parallel to its 4G expansion, BSNL is preparing for a 5G rollout. The company’s existing technology, provided by the Tata Consultancy Services-led consortium, is designed for easy 5G upgrades through software adjustments. Industry reports suggest that BSNL’s 5G services could be introduced as early as the first quarter of 2025, further boosting the telecom provider’s capacity to compete in India’s rapidly advancing digital landscape.

Conclusion

BSNL’s progress in installing and operationalizing 4G sites signifies a transformative phase in India’s telecom sector. By pushing forward with both 4G and 5G technologies, BSNL is paving the way for enhanced connectivity and improved access to digital services nationwide. As the company nears its goal, continued expansion and technological upgrades will be essential to meet the rising demand for fast, reliable internet across India.