BSNL 4G Launch In December; Pan-India Roll-Out By June 2024

State-owned telecom company BSNL has outlined its plans to launch 4G services on a small scale in December and expand its coverage across India by June of the following year, according to Chairman and Managing Director P.K. Purwar.

In an interview with PTI at the India Mobile Congress, Mr. Purwar detailed the company's strategy for upgrading its 4G service to 5G post-June 2024. Purwar stated, "BSNL 4G service is ready for launch in Punjab in December. We have already completed the necessary network enhancements for 200 sites, and we are in the process of installing 3,000 sites in Punjab." as quoted by various media reports.

He also revealed that BSNL intends to gradually increase network deployment to 6,000, 9,000, 12,000, and eventually 15,000 sites per month. The primary objective is to have the 4G rollout completed by June 2024, following which the focus will shift to 5G services. BSNL is making significant strides in modernizing its infrastructure and services to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet and advanced telecommunications.

In a strategic move, IT company TCS and government-owned ITI have secured contracts worth approximately ₹19,000 crore from BSNL for the deployment of a 4G network that is also upgradable to 5G. This investment reflects the commitment to enhancing India's telecommunications capabilities and providing customers with cutting-edge technology.

Furthermore, Mr. Purwar affirmed that BSNL possesses ample spectrum resources to facilitate the deployment of 5G services once the 4G rollout is successfully completed. This proactive approach positions BSNL to remain at the forefront of technological advancements in the telecom sector.