BSNL to Deploy Additional 100,000 4G Towers Across India

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is set to deploy another 100,000 4G towers across India, following the recent and successful installation of its first 100,000 towers earlier this month. This endeavour is aimed at bolstering the company’s network infrastructure, allowing it to adopt a more competitive position in the domestic telecom landscape.

Government Approval for Expansion

Dr Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications, revealed to The New Indian Express that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will soon seek Cabinet approval for this subsequent phase of expansion. The minister mentioned that after the successful rollout of 100,000 towers equipped with optimal 4G technology, the next step involves approaching the Cabinet and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanctioning another 100,000 towers.

Monetising Assets for Financial Support

The minister also indicated that BSNL intends to enhance its cash flow by monetising assets, which will further facilitate the deployment of additional 4G and 5G infrastructure. Addressing earlier performance concerns regarding BSNL’s 4G network, Pemmasani clarified that the state-owned operator utilises indigenous technology, which is currently being optimised. He noted that substantial improvements have been achieved, anticipating near-perfect performance by July or August next year.

Comparison with Private Telecom Operators

In contrast to private telecom companies like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, which procure network equipment from global firms such as Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung, BSNL has chosen to leverage homegrown technology. In May 2023, the company awarded a significant contract to a consortium led by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), including Tejas Networks, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and ITI Ltd. This agreement encompasses the supply and maintenance of equipment for the 100,000 towers, valued at ₹13,000 crore, along with a 10-year annual maintenance contract.

BSNL Preparing for 5G Services

Simultaneously, BSNL is gearing up to launch its 5G services and has initiated a crowdsourced campaign to solicit names for this upcoming service. Through a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the company urged users to “Make history. Name the future of BSNL 5G,” inviting the public to submit their suggestions by 5 PM on 13 June.