BSNL 4G: A Leap Towards Digital Inclusion in India
Newz Daddy Business Updates
In its Silver Jubilee year, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is rolling out pan-India 4G on an indigenous
C-DoT core with TCS/Tejas integration, reaffirming the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision for strategic telecom. The launch was graced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister yesterday at Jharsuguda, Odisha. 97,500 new 4G sites, including 14,000+ sites under the 4G Saturation Project ,were inaugurated. This milestone caps a multi-year modernisation across mobile access, rural fibre (BharatNet) and island connectivity
“BSNL’s Silver Jubilee coincides with a new beginning—indigenous 4G at a national scale. With sustained policy support, operational efficiency and disciplined execution, we are delivering affordable, secure, resilient connectivity—from the Himalayas to the islands—and building a clear runway to 5G SA for citizens and enterprises alike.”
BSNL’s 4G network is built on a homegrown C-DoT core, integrated with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tejas Networks’ Radio Access Network (RAN). This setup ensures the network is ready for future 5G standalone (SA) deployment, aligning with India’s self-reliance goals. The integration of indigenous technology reduces dependency on foreign vendors and enhances national security.
Backbone to the islands: CANI (Chennai–Andaman & Nicobar) and KLI (Kochi–Lakshadweep) submarine cables are operational, delivering multi-Tbps capacity and lower latency to remote territories.
The CANI and KLI submarine cable systems are vital for connecting India’s remote islands to the mainland. These cables provide high-speed internet access, supporting services like e-governance, telemedicine, and online education in these areas. The KLI cable, for instance, connects Kochi to 11 Lakshadweep islands, enhancing digital connectivity.
Unified rural engine: With the BBNL→BSNL merger approved in 2022, BharatNet rollout and O&M sit under one roof for scale and speed.
The merger of Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) with BSNL streamlines the implementation of the BharatNet project, which aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to rural India. This consolidation allows for more efficient planning, execution, and maintenance of the network, accelerating the delivery of digital services to underserved areas.
Revival momentum: Successive Cabinet packages (addressed spectrum, VRS/AGR rationalisation and capital for 4G/5G and rural broadband.
The Indian government’s support through various revival packages has been instrumental in BSNL’s turnaround. These packages addressed critical issues like spectrum allocation, voluntary retirement schemes (VRS), and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities, providing BSNL with the financial and operational flexibility to modernize its infrastructure and services.
Financial turn: BSNL posted two consecutive quarterly profits for the first time in almost 18 years—₹262 cr Q3 FY25 and ₹280 cr Q4 FY25—adding more than 1Cr. 4G subscribers and improving its ARPU – alongside a sharp improvement in FY25 EBITDA.
BSNL’s return to profitability is a significant achievement, reflecting the effectiveness of its modernisation efforts and strategic initiatives. The addition of over 10 million 4G subscribers and improved average revenue per user (ARPU) indicate a positive reception of its services in the market. The company’s focus on cost control and revenue diversification has contributed to this financial turnaround.
BSNL was a pioneer in introducing 3G services in India, expanding mobile broadband access to a broader population. This early adoption laid the foundation for subsequent advancements in mobile technology and services in the country.
2000: BSNL corporatised (1 Oct 2000), inheriting DoT’s nationwide operations and universal-service mandate.
The corporatisation of BSNL in 2000 marked a significant shift in India’s telecom landscape, enabling the company to operate with greater autonomy while continuing to fulfil its universal service obligations.
2000s: Largest fixed network buildout; execution arm for national connectivity programs.
During the 2000s, BSNL expanded its fixed-line network extensively, playing a crucial role in implementing national connectivity initiatives like the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN).
2010s: Hyper-competition, rapid tech shifts (3G/4G) and tariff compression challenged sector economics; BSNL continued rural/universal obligations.
The telecom sector faced intense competition and technological advancements during the 2010s, impacting BSNL’s profitability. Despite these challenges, BSNL remained committed to providing services in rural and underserved areas.
2019 → 2023: Government revival measures (spectrum, VRS/AGR, equity/capex) + 2022 BBNL merger prepared the ground for indigenous 4G/5G.
The government’s revival packages from 2019 to 2023 addressed key issues like spectrum allocation, financial restructuring, and capital infusion, setting the stage for BSNL’s transition to indigenous 4G and future 5G services.
Platform: C-DoT 4G core integrated by TCS/Tejas; engineered for upgrade to 5G SA (enterprise slicing, FWA).
The integration of the C-DoT 4G core with TCS and Tejas Networks’ technologies ensures a scalable and future-ready network, capable of supporting advanced features like enterprise slicing and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) for 5G.
The expansion of over 18,000 sites enhances network capacity and coverage, improving service quality in both urban and rural areas. This densification supports the growing demand for data and connectivity.
Strategic geographies: Border districts, remote/LWE areas and islands aligned to national inclusion and security priorities.
BSNL’s focus on deploying services in border districts, remote areas, and islands aligns with national priorities for inclusion and security, ensuring equitable access to communication services across the country.
The CANI submarine cable system, inaugurated in 2020, significantly enhances connectivity between Chennai and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, supporting high-speed data transmission with multi-terabit per second capacity.
KLI (Lakshadweep): Subsea fibre completed, enhancing resilience and latency for governance, education, health and tourism.
The completion of the KLI submarine cable system improves digital infrastructure in Lakshadweep, facilitating better governance, education, healthcare, and tourism services through enhanced connectivity.
BSNL’s profitability in the third and fourth quarters of FY25, along with a significant increase in EBITDA margin, reflects the company’s successful turnaround and operational efficiency.
Drivers: Cost discipline, asset monetisation, and growth in Mobility, FTTH and Enterprise; more circles turned EBITDA-positive.
Strategic initiatives like cost control, asset monetisation, and growth in mobility, Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH), and enterprise services have contributed to BSNL’s improved financial performance.
Mobile & FTTH Subscribers: BSNL added more than 1Cr. 4G Subscribers in the past year and improved its ARPU without increasing price by offering customers simplified and industry-standard mobile plans. Simultaneously, BSNL also added 2 Lakh FTTH subscribers in the past year.
The addition of over 10 million 4G subscribers and 200,000 FTTH subscribers indicates BSNL’s expanding customer base and the popularity of its services. The improvement in ARPU without price hikes reflects customer satisfaction and value proposition.
BSNL also launched new and innovative product offerings for its customers, including eSIM, Quantum 5G FWA, GenAI conversational bots and more.
The introduction of advanced services like eSIM, Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and GenAI conversational bots demonstrates BSNL’s commitment to innovation and enhancing customer experience.
Commercial Loan Free: BSNL cleared all commercial bank loans in the past year.
BSNL’s achievement of clearing all commercial bank loans signifies its improved financial health and reduced debt burden, positioning the company