BSNL to deploy another 1 lakh 4G towers; signals quick roll-out of 5G services: report
By Unnikrishnan | 20 Jun 2025
State-owned telecommunication company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is reported to be expanding its 4G network coverage by adding another 1 lakh telecom towers.
BSNL, which has rolled out 4G services using indigenous technology, has embarked on further expansion and has set its sights on 5G rollout, reports cited minister of state for communications Pemmasani Chandrasekhar as saying.
Chandrasekhar said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will shortly move the union cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office seeking approval for the next phase of BSNL's 4G and 5G services rollout. The telecom ministry is also taking steps to augment the cash flow of BSNL, including through asset monitisation, he added.
With the installation of 1 lakh more towers, BSNL will complete its 4G rollout and start successive deployment of 4G and 5G equipment, the minister was quoted as saying.
Unlike private telecom companies, BSNL has opted for indigenous 4G technology, and hence is supported by locally-developed telecom gear. The state-owned telco has awarded network and equipment supply contract to a consortium comprising Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tejas Networks, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and ITI Ltd. Besides equipment and technology supplies, including erection of telecom towers, the consortium will provide maintenance services for the next 10 years.
The minister said, while Tejas Networks has completed equipment supply for BSNL 4G/5G rollout, the homegrown technology is still evolving and hence needed some optimisation and corrections. These, however, have now been solved and the services are completely normal, adding that any pending issues will be sorted out by the next month.
With full-fledged 4G rollout and proposed migration to 5G services, BSNL hopes to better compete with private telecom service providers.
In fact, the minister pointed out that BSNL reported a net profit of Rs280 crore for the quarter ended 31 March 2025, a second consecutive quarter after the Rs262-crore profit reported in the previous quarter. The state-owned telco had registered a loss of Rs849 crore in the January-March 2024 quarter.
