State-owned Indian telecom operator, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), plans to begin its 5G rollout in the coming months.
Currently, the company is focused on deploying 4G sites, aiming to reach 100,000 sites by June 2025. To date, BSNL has activated over 75,000 sites, with more than 80,000 already installed. The operator expects all 100,000 sites to be operational by the targeted deadline.
India's Union Telecom Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, mentioned that the goal is to have all 100,000 sites operational by May-June 2025, with a planned transition from 4G to 5G expected to begin in June.
BSNL is expected to continue its 4G network expansion beyond the 100,000-site milestone. The telecom operator is likely to extend its collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for additional 4G deployments. Despite the significant achievement, the current site count remains insufficient to cover the entirety of India’s vast landscape.
Regarding its 5G plans, BSNL is preparing to test 5G standalone (5G SA) technology in Delhi. The telco also has the flexibility to upgrade its existing 4G sites to 5G non-standalone (5G NSA) through a simple software update, facilitated by TCS. Tata Group has assured that the transition to 5G NSA will be seamless.
BSNL stands out as the only Indian telecom operator deploying indigenous 4G technology. BSNL’s rollout aligns with the government's emphasis on self-reliance and national security. The decision to utilize homegrown technology underscores India's commitment to fostering domestic telecom innovation.
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