PM Modi Launches BSNL’s ‘Swadeshi’ 4G Network
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially launched BSNL’s fully indigenous 4G network and commissioned over 97,500 BSNL mobile towers nationwide from Jharsuguda, Odisha. This massive initiative, built at an estimated cost of approximately ₹37,000 crore, marks India’s entry into an elite group of nations—including Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, and China—that have successfully developed and deployed their own homegrown telecom technology.
This milestone in digital sovereignty is a powerful realisation of the Prime Minister’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. The launch coincides with BSNL’s silver jubilee celebrations, signalling a dramatic transformation for the state-owned telecom operator.
The Power of the Swadeshi 4G Stack
The BSNL indigenous 4G stack represents the largest deployment of telecom infrastructure built entirely with domestic technology. This breakthrough was achieved through the collaborative efforts of a consortium led by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which served as the system integrator, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) which developed the Core Network, and Tejas Networks which provided the Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment.
This cloud-based network is not just a technological achievement but is also designed to be future-ready, with capability for a seamless upgrade to 5G networks, providing high-speed internet with download speeds up to 50Mbps. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia noted that having a fully homegrown stack is critical for national security and digital resilience against external supply chain shocks.
Bridging the Digital Divide with Green Infrastructure
The commissioning of over 97,500 new mobile towers, with 92,600 featuring the new 4G technology, is a transformative step aimed at achieving 100 percent 4G saturation. Crucially, over 18,900 sites were funded under the Digital Bharat Nidhi programme, specifically targeting remote, border, and extremism-affected areas. This expansion is set to connect over 26,700 previously unserved villages across various states, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar, bringing mobile connectivity to nearly two million new subscribers.
Furthermore, a significant portion of these new towers are solar-powered, establishing India’s largest cluster of green telecom sites and aligning the expansion of digital connectivity with goals for sustainable infrastructure development. This new network will unlock access to essential services like online education, telemedicine, e-governance, and digital payments for millions in rural India.
