BSNL Launches Swadeshi 4G Network with 97,500 Towers Pan-India

On September 27, 2025 , Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited's (BSNL) Swadeshi 4G network, marking a significant leap for India into the global telecom landscape. The initiative, built on entirely indigenous technology, aims to achieve 100% 4G saturation in the country through the Digital Bharat Nidhi programme.

BSNL’s 4G Launch: Indigenous Stack at Heart of the Initiative

BSNL’s new 4G network rollout is powered by Indian technology companies. The Radio Access Network (RAN) has been developed by Tejas Networks, while the core network comes from the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), and integration is managed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). This unified and indigenous technology stack represents India's capability to design, develop, and deploy large-scale telecom infrastructure independently.

This milestone places India alongside Finland, Sweden, South Korea, and China as one of the few nations with its own domestic telecom equipment in a commercial setup.

Project Scale: Cost, Coverage and Impact

Under a cumulative budget of ₹37,284 crore, BSNL, along with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, has installed approximately 97,500 4G mobile towers across India. Notably, over 92,600 of these towers heavily leverage swadeshi technology and are ready to be upgraded to 5G in the future.

These towers extend coverage to 26,700 unconnected villages, located in remote, border, and left-wing extremism-impacted regions. The efforts aim to bring connectivity and digital services to 20,00,000 new users, enhancing access to online education, telemedicine, digital payments, and e-governance.

Read More: DoT and FIU-IND Ink MoU to Combat Telecom and Financial Fraud!

BSNL’s Role in the Digital Growth Journey

In its 25th anniversary year, BSNL is steering India into a digitally connected future with a robust and independently built network. The initiative strengthens the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and paves the way for future developments in the telecom sector, including seamless 5G upgrades powered by Indian firms.

Conclusion

BSNL’s launch of its Swadeshi 4G network marks a transformative step in India's digital journey. With extensive coverage, indigenous technology, and a vision for future scalability, this milestone reaffirms India's telecom independence and strategic advancement on the global stage.

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