BSNL sets up over 50000 4G sites in most remote areas of India

By Sandy Verma On Nov 1, 2024

�New DelhiNew Delhi: In a significant step forward to advance India's digital connectivity goals, state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has successfully deployed over 50,000 indigenous 4G sites across the country, the Communications Ministry announced. The ministry said more than 41,000 of the 50,000 sites set up as of October 29 are now operational. Of these, about 36,747 sites were set up under Phase IX.2 of the project and 5,000 sites under the 4G Saturation Project funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi Fund (erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

“These efforts are strengthening BSNL's target of setting up more than 1,00,000 4G sites, which is a testament to the rapid pace of its expansion,” the ministry said. This historic step under the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative has been taken in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) led consortium, which has been awarded a Rs 24,500 crore contract to provide 4G equipment for 100,000 new telecom towers by May 2023 Was. Tejas Network, Center for Development of Telematics
(C-DOT) and ITI are also part of this consortium, highlighting the strength of India's homegrown technology in meeting the country's connectivity needs.

“Designed, developed and implemented entirely by Indian companies, BSNL's 4G network reflects the concept of “Purna Swadeshi” (completely indigenous) innovation, ushering in a new era for telecommunications in India,” the ministry said. Is.” Earlier this month, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said BSNL hopes to roll out its 4G network across the country by June 2025 by deploying 1 lakh sites. He said that the telecom operator will convert them to 5G within a month. BSNL has also completed trials for its 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) and core network in the 3.6 GHz and 700 MHz frequency bands. According to the ministry, BSNL has installed 15,000 air sites till July.