Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) indigenous 4G network stack, calling it a landmark in India’s journey towards swadeshi and atmanirbharta.
With this, India joins a select group of nations that have developed their own telecom technology.
A new chapter for BSNL
“From today, a new avatar of BSNL has emerged. BSNL’s indigenous 4G services have been launched,” Modi said at the event.
The launch is seen as a revival for the state-owned telecom operator, often dominated by private players.
97,500 towers set up
As part of the rollout, more than 97,500 solar-powered 4G towers have been installed across states including Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam and Bihar, at a cost of ₹37 crore.
Officials said this represents the country’s largest cluster of green telecom sites, combining sustainability with connectivity.
Ready for 5G upgrade
The cloud-based 4G stack has been designed to seamlessly upgrade to 5G, ensuring BSNL can expand services rapidly and compete with private operators.
This adaptability positions India strongly in the evolving telecom landscape.
Swadeshi push amid global headwinds
This launch comes at a crucial time when India is facing the wrath of 50 per cent tariffs from the US and criticism over trade with Russia.
Modi’s focus on indigenous telecom technology signals an effort to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and assert strategic independence.
Building an atmanirbhar future
By combining self-reliance with sustainability, the BSNL 4G launch reflects the government’s vision of an atmanirbhar Bharat, where India develops its own technological backbone despite global economic pressures.
