BSNL Plans to Upgrade All 4G Towers to 5G Within 6–8 Months, Confirms Jyotiraditya Scindia

State-run telecom operator BSNL is set to upgrade all its 4G towers to 5G within the next six to eight months, as part of India’s push for a self-reliant telecom ecosystem. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted the progress at the fourth Kautilya Economic Conclave, emphasizing India’s rise as one of the few countries capable of delivering an end-to-end homegrown telecom solution.

BSNL’s Indigenous 4G Stack

Scindia noted that BSNL’s 4G stack, developed in collaboration with C-DOT, Tejas Networks, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), showcases India’s technological capability. He explained that while purchasing equipment from foreign vendors would have been easier, the government chose the more challenging path of developing an indigenous solution.

• In just 22 months, India built its core software, radio access network (RAN), and integrated it with TCS as the system integrator.

• This achievement places India among only five countries globally capable of providing a complete, end-to-end telecom solution.

Rapid 5G Deployment

BSNL has already commissioned 92,564 towers across India, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The rollout has made India’s 5G deployment the fastest in the world, covering 99.8% of districts.

The upcoming upgrade of all BSNL 4G towers to 5G is expected to accelerate India’s telecom capabilities, expanding connectivity and preparing the network for future technologies.

Financial and Operational Momentum

BSNL has demonstrated strong financial performance in recent months:

• Operating profit: Rs 5,396 crore in the current fiscal year, more than double the Rs 2,164 crore recorded last year.

• The company has reported two consecutive profitable quarters.

Operational growth includes:

• Subscriber base: Rose from 8.7 crore to 9.1 crore—the first increase in years.

• 4G network expansion: From 9,000 sites in June last year to 98,000 sites, now serving over 22 million people.

Scindia highlighted that BSNL’s progress is part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, emphasizing both operational efficiency and economic growth.

‘Made in India’ Telecom Vision

The minister emphasized that India’s next phase of telecom growth should focus on Atmanirbhar innovation, not imitation. He stated that global disruptions provide India with an opportunity to strengthen its capabilities in telecom, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence (AI).

• AI is identified as the next frontier of communication, which should reflect India’s linguistic and social diversity.

• Initiatives like the Bhashini app, enabling real-time translation, demonstrate how AI can bridge communication gaps across languages and regions.

Global Context and India’s Economic Resilience

Amid global challenges such as protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and climate shocks, India has shown remarkable resilience.

• GDP growth: 7.8% in the first quarter of FY2025-26.

• Future projections: India is on track to become the third-largest economy by 2027 and the second-largest by 2038.

BSNL’s 5G upgrade and indigenous technology development are key elements supporting India’s broader economic and technological growth ambitions.

Conclusion

BSNL’s plan to upgrade all 4G towers to 5G in six to eight months underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in telecom infrastructure. With a fully indigenous 4G stack, rapid 5G deployment, strong financial performance, and expansion of services, BSNL is set to play a pivotal role in India’s telecom future. Coupled with AI initiatives and homegrown innovation, India is positioning itself as a global leader in digital and technological capabilities.