BSNL to Complete 4G Rollout and Transition to 5G Network by June 2025

State-run telecom company BSNL is set to complete the deployment of its homegrown 4G technology across 100,000 base stations by May next year. Following this, the transition to a 5G network is planned for June 2025, according to Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. This announcement was made during the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

Representative image

The minister highlighted India's progress in telecommunications, noting that while the country followed global trends in 4G, it has kept pace with 5G and aims to lead in 6G technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized that the government will not rely on foreign equipment for these advancements. "We now have a core and a radio access network that's fully functional," Scindia stated. "We have got a plan of 1 lakh sites by April-May of next year. We've rolled out 38,300 sites as of yesterday."

BSNL's Technological Advancements

BSNL's 4G technology is being developed by a consortium including state-run C-DOT and domestic IT firm TCS. Scindia mentioned that India has achieved the fastest 5G rollout globally, with 450,000 towers installed in just 22 months, covering 80% of the population. "We are going to roll out our own 4G network, which is going to switch to 5G by June of 2025. We will be the sixth country in the world to be able to do that," Scindia said.

In recent years, the Indian telecom sector has undergone significant transformation. The number of broadband connections has surged from around 60 million a decade ago to 940 million today. This growth reflects the sector's rapid evolution and increased accessibility for consumers.

Cost Reductions and Strategic Partnerships

The cost of voice calls has drastically decreased from 50 paise ten years ago to just three paise today, marking a 96% reduction. Similarly, data costs have plummeted from Rs 289 per GB (approximately $3.50) to just 12 cents per GB now. This affordability has driven widespread adoption and penetration of telecom services across India.

Scindia also discussed India-US strategic relations, emphasizing efforts to strengthen ties beyond technological advancements. The Prime Minister's visit to the US was described as landmark, resulting in an agreement to establish a fab chip plant in India. This facility will supply chips for US defence needs, significantly impacting both nations.

The minister reiterated Prime Minister Modi's vision for telecom: "Don't build towers but build quality of service, become a product nation and do not think of telecom as an end product but think of it as a means to supplying service." This approach underscores India's commitment to enhancing service quality rather than merely expanding infrastructure.

Both India and the US are collaborating across various sectors to ensure their relationship extends beyond technology. The establishment of the chip plant exemplifies this partnership's potential benefits for both countries' economies and technological capabilities.

The developments in India's telecom sector highlight its rapid progress and ambitious goals for future technological leadership. As BSNL advances its network capabilities, the country is poised to make significant strides in global telecommunications innovation.