Government Plans Major Expansion of BSNL 4G to Deliver High-Speed Internet to Villages

New Delhi:
The Union government is preparing a major expansion of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) indigenous 4G network to ensure high-speed internet connectivity reaches every village in the country, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said.

According to an ET Telecom report, BSNL has already deployed nearly one lakh 4G sites across India, while work is underway to install an additional 22,000 new sites. The government is now considering expanding the network even further by setting up more towers, subject to availability of funds.

Speaking on the initiative, Scindia confirmed that he has held discussions with the Finance Minister regarding funding requirements for the expansion. While he refrained from sharing detailed figures, he said substantial progress has already been made on the project.

BSNL began rolling out its 4G services last year; however, nationwide coverage through the indigenous network has yet to be fully achieved. The government has since accelerated efforts to extend the service to remote and rural areas, aiming to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable internet access across the country.

Indigenous Technology Backbone

The BSNL 4G network is built entirely on homegrown technology, developed by a consortium led by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), with key contributions from Tejas Networks and C-DOT. At the time of the initial launch, around 98,000 sites were activated, which has since been scaled up to one lakh. The installation of 22,000 additional sites is currently in progress.

Officials said that while the expansion will significantly enhance coverage, it may still not be sufficient to compete effectively with private telecom operators. Experts have echoed this view, stressing the need for a larger number of 4G sites to strengthen BSNL’s presence and performance nationwide.

Interestingly, India’s indigenous telecom technology has begun attracting global attention. Several countries seeking alternatives to Chinese telecom equipment have reportedly expressed interest in adopting Indian-developed solutions.

5G Rollout Also in Focus

While BSNL’s 4G network is steadily expanding, preparations for 5G services are also gaining momentum. Officials indicated that BSNL could roll out 5G services later this year, starting with major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai.

A key advantage of BSNL’s indigenous infrastructure is that its existing 4G network can be upgraded to 5G, eliminating the need for setting up new towers and significantly reducing costs.

The government believes that the large-scale expansion of BSNL’s network will play a crucial role in strengthening digital connectivity, especially in rural and underserved regions, while also reinforcing India’s position as a global player in indigenous telecom technology.