Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India’s government-owned telecom provider, has reached a significant milestone in its 4G network expansion. As of now, 39,000 4G towers have been successfully deployed and are operational, bringing BSNL closer to its ultimate goal of 100,000 4G sites by early to mid-2025.
This ambitious rollout is spearheaded by a consortium of companies, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tejas Networks, and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).
The comprehensive deployment strategy aims to modernize BSNL’s infrastructure and enhance its service delivery, particularly in rural and remote areas, to support the growing demand for high-speed mobile connectivity across India.
Progress of 4G Site Deployment
BSNL’s 4G expansion efforts have been marked by consistent progress, largely driven by TCS and its partners. N Ganapathy Subramaniam, who serves as the Advisor for Telecom Strategic Initiatives at TCS and the Chairman of Tejas Networks, has played a key role in overseeing the project.
According to Subramaniam, equipment for around 58,000 to 59,000 sites has already been delivered. Notably, between 10,000 and 12,000 of these sites were equipped in October 2024 alone, signifying the rapid pace at which the deployment is advancing. Presently, 49,000 4G sites have been installed, with 38,000 to 39,000 already commissioned and fully operational.
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The consortium is consistently installing and commissioning approximately 450 to 500 sites each day, accelerating the rollout toward its completion.
This fast-tracked deployment has become a crucial step for BSNL in its efforts to reclaim its position in India’s competitive telecom market. After struggling for years against private operators such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, BSNL’s 4G network expansion is vital to its revival and future competitiveness.
It’s worth noting that this project is not just about increasing network coverage but also about BSNL’s strategic shift toward becoming a more robust and efficient service provider, capable of offering reliable and faster mobile connectivity across diverse geographies.
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However, achieving this milestone is only part of the bigger picture. The 100,000-site target, set for completion by mid-2025, will bring BSNL’s 4G network to a level where it can cater to both urban and rural demands more effectively. This comprehensive deployment of infrastructure is designed to give BSNL a stronger foothold in India’s telecom sector, which is rapidly evolving with the integration of 4G and 5G technologies.
BSNL’s 4G Network to Feature 700 MHz Band Connectivity
BSNL’s 4G network strategy is particularly notable for its use of the 700 MHz frequency band, which plays a key role in ensuring extensive coverage, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
This low-frequency band has a unique advantage: its ability to cover larger geographical areas with fewer towers, making it an ideal choice for regions with sparse populations and challenging terrains. By utilizing this band, BSNL aims to ensure that its 4G services reach remote areas that are often underserved by high-speed mobile networks.
For urban areas, BSNL is complementing its 700 MHz network with higher-frequency bands, such as 2100 MHz, 1800 MHz, 850 MHz, and 900 MHz, to boost capacity and provide better overall service quality. The combination of low and high-frequency bands will enable BSNL to offer a balanced approach, catering to the different demands of rural and urban customers alike.
In urban centers, where the demand for data is significantly higher, the additional bands will enhance network capacity and ensure a smoother, faster user experience.
Despite its advantages in terms of coverage, the 700 MHz band does have some limitations. One of the primary concerns is that data speeds on the 700 MHz band are generally lower compared to higher-frequency bands.
This means that while BSNL’s network will offer extensive coverage, it may not be able to match the high-speed performance of private operators such as Jio, which uses the same band for its 5G services. Nevertheless, BSNL’s 4G strategy, supported by a multi-band approach, is expected to provide a reliable and consistent mobile experience for users across various parts of India.
As the only operator in India using the 700 MHz band exclusively for 4G, BSNL’s unique approach sets it apart from its competitors. However, the company may need to explore additional measures, such as upgrading its infrastructure to support 5G, to fully address the growing demand for faster data services in the future.
Future Expansion and Industry Insights
While BSNL’s target of 100,000 4G sites is an impressive milestone, industry experts suggest that this may not be sufficient to meet the long-term demands of India’s mobile users.
The telecom industry is constantly evolving, with 5G networks being rolled out across the country, and the demand for faster, more reliable mobile services is only expected to increase in the coming years. As a result, BSNL will likely need to continue expanding its network even after reaching its initial 4G rollout target.
One potential avenue for future growth is BSNL’s entry into the 5G market. While the company is currently focused on its 4G expansion, it cannot afford to ignore the rapid shift toward 5G services that is already taking place in India.
Private operators like Jio and Airtel have made significant strides in their 5G deployments, and BSNL will need to keep pace if it wants to remain competitive. Transitioning to 5G will require significant investments in infrastructure and technology, but it could also provide BSNL with an opportunity to differentiate itself in the market by offering a more comprehensive range of services to its customers.
Another challenge that BSNL faces is the growing demand for high-speed mobile data in urban areas. While the 700 MHz band provides excellent coverage, it may not be able to deliver the high speeds that urban users expect, particularly as data consumption continues to rise.
BSNL will need to address this issue by investing in higher-frequency bands and upgrading its network capacity to ensure that it can meet the needs of urban customers, who are increasingly relying on mobile networks for streaming, gaming, and other data-intensive applications.
Despite these challenges, BSNL’s 4G rollout represents a significant step forward for the company and the Indian telecom sector as a whole. By expanding its network coverage and improving service quality, BSNL is positioning itself to play a more prominent role in the country’s digital landscape.
The 4G rollout also aligns with the Indian government’s broader goals of improving digital connectivity and ensuring that all citizens have access to reliable, high-speed internet services.
BSNL’s 4G expansion, driven by TCS, Tejas Networks, and C-DOT, marks a critical juncture in the company’s journey. The rapid deployment of 39,000 4G sites is a testament to the consortium’s commitment to modernizing India’s telecom infrastructure and addressing the growing demand for mobile connectivity.
While challenges remain, particularly in terms of urban data speeds and the transition to 5G, BSNL’s current progress suggests that it is well on its way to achieving its 2025 targets. For millions of users across India, particularly in rural and underserved areas, this expansion promises to bring more reliable and accessible mobile services, contributing to the country’s digital future.
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