The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is rigorously stress-testing BSNL’s 4G-led revival further demanding detailed circle-wise data on subscribers, Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), and revenue by March 27, 2026.
As part of an annual performance review of the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), DoT has sought detail regarding active subscribers (VLR) and overall subscribers (HLR), along with circle-wise revenue and market share trends of consumer fixed wireless access (CFA), fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), and enterprise segments for the last 12 months.
Key Highlights From DoT Testing BSNL’s 4G-Led Revival Story
After the ₹28,000-crore-plus investment and 4G rollout, the government is now auditing whether the state-owned firm’s indigenous 4G network is delivering sustainable, long-term market growth rather than just temporary improvements.
In the meantime, let’s go through the key aspects of BSNL’s Revival & Testing.
- This audit’s focus by DoT is to review 4G rollout effectiveness, subscriber acquisition, and revenue trends.
- With this evaluation they will do performance monitoring including scrutinizing cost levers, such as SIM procurement and tariff experiments like the withdrawn ₹1 plan.
- It’s an indigenous technology as BSNL is deploying a homegrown 4G/5G stack developed by TCS and C-DoT, aiming for nationwide “4G saturation” in rural areas.
- By the end of February 28, 2026, 96,103 out of 97,906 installed sites were operational.
- The franchise is facing challenges as the partners reported weak network performance at new 4G towers, causing call drops and slow data, affecting the 2026 sales and distribution strategy.
- When it comes to the BSNL, is roughly 2–3 years behind private competitors in 5G but is preparing for 5G launches in Delhi and Mumbai by December 2025
BSNL Revenue Growth
In the meantime, BSNL posted an THE EVENTS (core operating profit) of ₹4,858 crore cumulatively in the nine months ending December 31, 2025, of fiscal year 2026, growing by 105% compared to the corresponding period a year ago, said the Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia during February this year.
Besides this, the public sector telco has also recorded a revenue of ₹17,705 crore in the first three quarters of FY26, again booking a rise of 13% over the corresponding periods in the previous period.
Earlier, Centre had set a target to increase the telecom carrier’s revenue by 20% for the full year to ₹27,500 crore.
BSNL posted an average revenue per user (ARPU) of ₹91 for the October quarter of FY26 (Q2FY26), compared to ₹81 in Q1FY26.
Pushing up its total tally to 93.02 million subscribers, BSNL gained 0.27 million subscribers in January 2026 as per the latest sectoral data put out by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
In addition to this, Reliance Jio Infocomm remained the largest wireless service provider with 491.48 million subscribers in January among the operators, followed by Bharti Airtel (467.79 million), and Vodafone Idea (198.35 million), as per the telecom regulator’s data.
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