BSNL makes 65,000 4G sites live, to ensure wider coverage: Robert Ravi

State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has taken as many as 65,000 fourth-generation or 4G radio sites on-air and is looking to further increase coverage and capacity based on 2100 Mhz and 700 MHz band spectrum, to ensure robust signal penetration in challenging terrains and indoors.

“We have made close to 65,000 4G sites live. This is a totally indigenous technology. Only a few countries in the world have really attempted it,” Robert J Ravi, Chairman, BSNL told ETTelecom, adding that such a move by the Centre was essential to ensure robust protection against emerging threats, aligning with the vision of self-reliance and technological sovereignty.

The next-generation network based on homegrown technology, according to him, would essentially thwart security-related challenges related to personal data and foolproof critical public and banking sectors.

The state-owned telco has also deployed a “crack team” in every circle to ensure optimum quality of service (QoS), and to undertake test drives.

“We have built an indigenous 4G secure network, and every new technology has some challenges which we are trying to overcome. Quality of Service (QoS) and customer assurance are among our key focus areas, reflecting our commitment to delivering exceptional service and building customer trust,” Ravi said.

The telco’s top executive said that its service quality remains within the regulatory benchmarks, and it is aiming to become a world-class service provider in terms of quality.

The country’s fourth-largest telecom operator is likely to roll-out commercial 5G services in select areas based on the network-as-a-service (NaaS) model by mid of this year.

“With this one lakh sites, we will be able to have sufficient coverage in the country. We have plans which will ensure that we increase our capacity subsequently.”

“We wanted companies to come and invest in 5G NaaS equipment. We’ll see if the model works. We are working on other different models also. In the next few months, once our 4G is optimised, we’ll be able to launch it,” Ravi added.

Last year, BSNL conducted a pilot program in Delhi for 5G services based on a NaaS model.

Mumbai-based Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)-led consortium that includes the state-owned Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) is currently deploying 1 lakh sites for BSNL’s commercial 4G foray.

The state-driven telco is looking to enable 5G services on its network simultaneously with 4G, in a bid to prevent subscriber churn.

In August 2024, BSNL said that it rolled out a 4G and 5G compatible over-the-air (OTA) and Universal SIM (USIM) platform, allowing subscribers to replace SIMs irrespective of geographical location.

Following an increase in revenue and income tax-related adjustment of Rs 168 crore in the July-September quarter, BSNL was able to narrow down its net loss to Rs 2,785 crore in the first half of FY2025.

The company’s consumer mobility business, which includes mobile services, witnessed a nearly 2% on-year increase in revenue to Rs 3,473.5 crore during the period.