BSNL perfects indigenous 4G network, technology brings India to 4th rank worldwide: Pemmasani
Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said that the state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) had stabilised the fourth-generation (4G) network, and homegrown technology had enabled India to become the fourth country worldwide to develop telecom radio network equipment.
“India is only the 4th country that has done (indigenously developed 5G radio) that, and not only installed 100,000 towers, which was a monumental task, but is now scaling the network,” Pemmasani told ET, adding that the development has demonstrated the country’s technological prowess and resolve.
Following the proof-of-concept (PoC), IT consulting and services company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), along with homebred Tejas Networks and state-owned Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) deployed 1 lakh 4G sites for the state-run telecom company.
The global telecom gear industry is dominated by Sweden’s Ericsson, Finland’s Nokia, and China’s Huawei and ZTE. India’s recent leap, aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant) ambition following Covid-19-induced shutdowns and ongoing geopolitical developments, may boost the penetration of the country’s homegrown technology into overseas markets.
Bengaluru-based Tejas Networks, which has also partnered with Japan’s NEC and Rakuten, is also in discussions with global companies to take its homegrown technology to overseas markets following the state-controlled telco deployment.
“We were under the impression of some technical problems, but after discussions with the BSNL chairman, the network is now perfected,” the minister added.
Initially, the indigenous network was plagued by scalability challenges, but following BSNL’s close coordination with consortium partners, the issues were ironed out, paving the way for expansion.
Mumbai-based TCS, part of the diversified Tata group conglomerate, is likely to receive a follow-on order for close to 23,000 sites, after including a few features as part of a technical specifications revision based on a select committee’s evaluation.
In August 2023, Tejas received a purchase order from TCS for ₹7,492 crore to supply its latest 4G-5G radio access network (RAN) equipment for 1-lakh sites, following trials in Chandigarh and Ambala.
In May 2025, a ₹1,525-crore advance purchase order (APO) was awarded to Tejas Networks through TCS for supplying 4G RAN equipment across 18,685 sites as part of network expansion. Meanwhile, a formal purchase order (PO) has been delayed since then.
The Centre has administratively assigned spectrum across 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2500 MHz and 3300 MHz bands to BSNL at auction-determined prices for providing 4G and 5G services.
Pemmasani further said that the department closely worked with the state-owned telco to replace as many as 50,000 batteries and power plants, as well as aging cable, eventually boosting the network uptime to more than 95%.
“We are not only perfecting the indigenous technology, but also ensuring BSNL has all the right equipment. Now the only thing that BSNL lacks today is additional towers. If we have them at par with the rest of the telcos, we will be able to get a good market,” he added.
Further, he said that the government is closely monitoring the amended BharatNet – 3 initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet programme, to connect more than 6 lakh villages with high-speed internet to take digital services to the last mile.
“Now, we have tendered (BharatNet) for most states, and we are monitoring like a private industry with a very data-driven and systematic approach,” Pemmasani said, adding that phase – 3 would ensure accountability from the project implementation agencies.
BSNL awarded Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-funded 16 BharatNet – 3 packages to multiple consortia, with work presently in the initial stage.
In August 2023, the Union Cabinet approved the amended BharatNet program with an outlay of ₹1.39-lakh crores.
