India’s state-run telecom giant BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) is making major strides in its long-awaited 4G rollout. According to recent reports, nearly 70,000 out of the planned 1 lakh 4G towers are now operational—and early data suggests they’re performing better than expected.
This significant progress marks a turning point for BSNL, which has been working hard to modernize its network and compete with private telecom players like Jio, Airtel, and Vi.
4G Expansion Reaches New Milestone
As per internal assessments, BSNL’s newly installed 4G towers are not only active but also showing better-than-anticipated performance in terms of speed and coverage. These towers, part of the broader 100,000-site rollout plan, are being deployed using domestically developed core and radio technologies under the “Make in India” initiative.
The initiative is being carried out primarily by a consortium led by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tejas Networks, and C-DOT, with support from Indian hardware manufacturers—aiming to reduce dependence on foreign telecom infrastructure.
Performance Report Shows Positive Results
Users in several regions have reported strong signal strength, stable internet connectivity, and consistent data speeds, especially in rural and semi-urban areas that were previously underserved. The towers are handling network load efficiently, pointing to the robustness of BSNL’s new 4G architecture.
Initial technical audits also highlight improvements in call quality, lower latency, and better overall network availability—factors critical for customer satisfaction and retention.
Boost to Government’s Digital India Vision
This 4G rollout is not just about improved connectivity—it also supports the Indian government’s larger Digital India mission, which aims to bridge the digital divide across rural and urban areas.
BSNL’s expansion into tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and remote regions, is set to bring affordable internet access and telecom services to millions of users who currently have limited or no access to reliable mobile data.
Full 1 Lakh Sites Expected to Go Live Soon
With 70% of the planned towers already operational, BSNL is on track to activate the remaining 30,000 towers over the coming months. The full-scale deployment will not only bolster BSNL’s competitive edge but also pave the way for the company’s eventual 5G rollout—which is already being discussed at a strategic level.
Once completed, this extensive 4G network will enable BSNL to compete more effectively with private telcos and regain market share, especially among users looking for low-cost data plans and rural coverage.
Final Thoughts
The activation of 70,000 BSNL 4G towers is a major milestone in India’s telecom landscape. Backed by homegrown technology, this progress signals a new era for BSNL—one where the state-run operator can offer fast, reliable, and scalable 4G services nationwide.
As the remaining towers go live, millions more Indians will be brought into the digital mainstream—strengthening the foundation for a more connected and empowered future.