Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is on a mission to bring high-speed 4G connectivity to every corner of Telangana. The state’s BSNL Circle, which currently manages 3,530 mobile sites spanning 2G, 3G, and 4G services, is undertaking a massive upgrade. All non-4G sites are being modernized with indigenously developed 4G technology, a project estimated to cost approximately ₹558 crore.
During a recent media briefing, Chief General Manager G. Ratna Kumar announced significant progress: 2,630 sites have already been successfully upgraded with new 4G mobile equipment. He assured that the remaining sites across Telangana are slated for completion within the next six months, marking a swift transformation.
This ambitious nationwide 4G rollout by the public sector telecom giant leverages cutting-edge, indigenously developed C-DoT core technology. Seamlessly integrated with TCS/Tejas networks, this infrastructure is not only robust for current 4G demands but is also specifically engineered for future 5G upgrades, aligning perfectly with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative.
Mr. Kumar further revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to officially inaugurate the nationwide 4G services from Jharsuguda, Odisha, on September 27. This momentous launch will encompass 92,633 sites, with more than 14,000 of these falling under the critical 4G saturation project, aimed at ensuring widespread availability.
Telangana currently boasts approximately 2.4 million BSNL connections, a number boosted by the recent success of the ‘Freedom Plan,’ which alone attracted about 1.75 lakh new subscribers. To further bridge the digital divide, the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) initiative is actively upgrading 173 existing 2G sites to 4G and establishing 256 brand-new sites specifically designed to bring connectivity to previously uncovered and underserved villages.
Elaborating on the expansion, the CGM explained that the region is strategically planning the installation of 256 additional new towers, backed by an investment of ₹256 crore. These towers are intended to bring robust 4G services to 298 villages, benefiting an estimated population of 2.08 lakh. Already, 188 of these towers are operational, successfully delivering 4G to 223 villages and reaching nearly 1.55 lakh residents.
The completion of the remaining 68 towers is anticipated by December 2025, ensuring that more communities gain access to modern telecommunications. Looking ahead, an impressive 172 new sites are already in the planning stages for the subsequent phase of the Digital Bharat Nidhi project, indicating a sustained commitment to connectivity.
In a significant achievement, Mr. Kumar proudly noted that BSNL has successfully cleared all its commercial bank loans over the past year. Furthermore, the company has reported two consecutive quarterly profits—₹262 crore and ₹280 crore—a remarkable financial turnaround not seen in nearly 18 years, signaling a strong path to recovery and growth.
Nationwide, BSNL has attracted over ten million new connections, encompassing both mobile and fibre-to-home subscribers. This expansion includes the addition of 18,685 new sites, realized with an investment of ₹2,903.22 crore. Crucially, these extensive upgrades and additions have been implemented without any increase in service tariffs, thanks to strategic planning and innovative schemes designed to benefit customers.
The press briefing was also attended by several senior officials, including K. Naveen Kumar, U. Srinivas, Mahendra Singh Raut, and Raja Ram Mohan, among others, underscoring the collaborative effort behind this major infrastructure push.